No Arab tourism turmoil

EXPECTATIONS that turmoil in the Arab world would roil Middle East outbound travel have proven largely unfounded, with opportunities remaining aplenty as the market enters its peak travel season, traditionally from end-June to mid-October.

“We initially thought we would be seeing sluggish growth in arrivals from the Middle East (due to the recent anti-government protests from Yemen to Egypt). In contrast, the market is growing,” said Juthaporn Rerngronasa, Tourism Authority of Thailand deputy governor for international marketing-Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.

Thailand looks set to surpass the 600,000 mark in Middle East arrivals this year, having recorded an 18 per cent year-on-year growth in the first six months to 299,000 visitors.

Over in the Philippines, latest available statistics from January to April also show a strong 13.2 per cent growth from the Middle East markets to 16,196 arrivals, compared to the same period last year.

“Contrary to what people might expect, we’ve actually seen an increase in arrivals. I realise people might find this surprising,” said Alex Stutely, general manager of Blue Horizons Travel and Tours.

Stutely credits this to the effort of the Philippine Department of Tourism, which appointed its first representative in the Middle East in April, and kept growing its presence at the Arabian Travel Market over the past four years.

– Read more in TTG Asia, July 22 issue

Additional reporting by Sirima Eamtako

Sponsored Post