THE Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is gunning for 3.1 million tourists from Malaysia in 2014 through a number of initiatives designed to encourage visitors to stay longer and explore more of Thailand.
One of these initiatives sees Thailand working with Laos, Cambodia and China to promote overland tours using Thailand as a South-east Asian hub, said Suwat Kumwong, director, Malaysia & Brunei, TAT.
TAT is also promoting travel to other destinations such as Lampang, Lamphun, Trang, Satun, Lipe Island, Ayutthaya and Pak Chong beyond the traditional cities such as Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi and Chiang Mai.
Raaj Navaratnaa, general manager of New Asia Holidays Kuala Lumpur, said TAT should also provide travel consultants with more brochure support and create more consumer awareness among Malaysians on the new destinations it is promoting.
He added: “It will create interest for repeat visitors to Thailand who wish to go off the beaten path. As a mature destination for Malaysians, TAT has to continuously come out with innovative ideas and packages to entice Malaysians, especially repeat visitors and the younger crowd, who love to explore and experience new things.”
In 2013, Thailand saw three million arrivals from Malaysia, which forms its second biggest market after China.
