THAILAND was the top overseas destination for Indian travellers last year, registering over 900,000 visitors from India.
According to Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) figures, a record 917,832 Indians were received in 2011, a 16 per cent jump over the 791,185 handled in 2010. In 1Q2012, 210,722 Indians travelled to the destination, a 1.64 per cent hike over the same period last year.
Sethaphan Buddhani, director, TAT Mumbai said: “We have achieved this consistent growth due to our result-oriented marketing strategies that are matched with performance indicators. We are also grateful to the Indian travel trade, which has been actively supporting our initiatives through joint promotions that showcase Thailand as a value-for-money destination.”
According to Buddhani, TAT’s ongoing efforts to tap the Indian market include educating travel consultants, tour operators, wedding planners and media about new attractions and products, through various ground-based marketing activities incorporating workshops, seminars and educational tours.
These activities are augmented by exhibitions, joint promotions, and mass communication through a range of outdoor, print, electronic and online media.
Buddhani added: “We (have also) realised the need to tap niche segments as the Indian market has matured over a period of time. As a result, we now tap niche segments such as golf, luxury holidays, weddings, medical, and Bollywood tourism.”
