Hong Kong, 29 March, 2014 – A high-level Thai tourism industry delegation led by Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik visited Hong Kong between 20-21 March, 2014, for an Amazing Thailand Road Show designed to promote a recovery in visitor arrivals after three months of political unrest.
Hong Kong SAR is one of Thailand’s primary source markets in Northeast Asia. Its government was one of the first to lower the travel alert to Thailand following the lifting of the state of emergency on 19 March, 2014.
That proved to be opportune for the Thai tourism industry delegation which, on 20 March, 2014, met with more than 150 counterpart tour operators, travel agents and MICE events organisers to provide a first-hand account of the improved scenario.
The TAT Governor personally met with 10 leading Hong Kong travel agents (Hong Thai Travel, Wing On Travel, Wincastle Travel, EGL Tour, Travel Expert, Miramar Travel, Westminster Travel, Nan Wha Travel, Sunflower Travel, and Morning Star Travel) to brief them on the improving situation.
He said Thailand would be more than ready to receive Hong Kong visitors during the upcoming Songkran Festival which falls around the same time as the Good Friday Easter break in Hong Kong.
Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik said, “We will continue to promote Bangkok and other destinations; such as, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Samui, Phang-Nga, Cha-am and Hua Hin as well as partner with our airline friends to organise fam trips for media and travel agents.
“Events such as Light-Up Bangkok, Street Food Festival and famous artists’ concerts are also being planned so that Hong Kong travel agents can offer their clients a really good time.”
Hong Kong visitor arrivals enjoyed an annual average growth of 3.57% during 1987-2012. In 2013, Thailand welcomed 581,871 Hong Kong visitors, up by 22.84%.
During the political unrest period, in January – February 2014, Hong Kong arrivals totalled 37,875, a decline of 50.77% over the same period of 2013. However, thanks to the roadshow and other promotional activities over the rest of this year, TAT is sticking to its 2014 target of 690,000 Hong Kong visitor arrivals.
In 2012, 80% of Hong Kong visitors to Thailand were FIT and 80% were repeat visitors. The average length of stay is 6.1 days and average daily expenditure per person 5,190 Baht, which generated 19.341 billion Baht in tourism income.
There are over 200 flights per week by 12 airlines between Hong Kong and Thailand, including direct flights to Phuket, Chiang Mai and Samui.
Holders of Hong Kong travel documents do not need visas to enter Thailand.
One important promotional activity undertaken by TAT in Hong Kong over the last two years included hosting the Miss Hong Kong Pageant 2012. In addition, Thailand also won the Golfers’ Choice Award 2012 from Hong Kong-based Golf Vacations Magazine.
Contact Information:
International Public Relations Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.tatnews.org
