THE Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is stepping up trade engagement after registering a five per cent year-on-year decline in arrivals from India in April, launching a new consortium, roadshows and other promotions.
Local TAT offices are tying up with Thai Airways International (THAI) and up to four Indian consolidators who will promote competitive travel packages to Thailand, with TAT subsidising half the promotion costs. The identities of these companies were not disclosed. THAI on its part will offer 50 discounted seats daily on all Indian sectors it serves.
Runjuan Tongrut, director, TAT New Delhi office, said: “In spite of the coup we have seen large group movements from India, especially wedding groups in places like Hua Hin. Working closely with our trade partners will enable us to increase tourist arrivals from India.”
Tongrut commented that India’s travel trade remains confident in Thailand, reflected in the fact that there were no cancellations from Indian buyers at Thailand Travel Mart Plus early this month.
TAT is planning a three-city roadshow beginning on July 31 covering New Delhi, Jaipur and Bhubaneswar, and expects 100 Indian buyers participating.
Partnerships with major Indian travel portals, a radio and online advertisement campaign, and the recruitment of a Bollywood actor to promote Thailand are also in the works.
Thailand received 72,000 arrivals from India, its sixth largest source market, in April and aims to hit 1.1 million arrivals by end 2015.
