THAILAND’S rapid recovery as a leading destination for Spanish tourists is set to receive further boost with the March 30 launch of Etihad Airways’ four-times weekly service between Madrid and Bangkok via Abu Dhabi.
The number of Spanish visitors to Thailand took a knock initially as a result of last year’s military coup, which was further exacerbated by the dropping of Thai Airways International’s Madrid-Bangkok service in September.
But major tour operators Catai Tours and Viajes El Corte Inglés said the country, long the favourite in Asia for Spanish tourists, is already bouncing back, and that the new Etihad service should prove “a useful alternative” on the route.
Said Catai’s spokesperson: “Thailand is a much-requested destination by Spaniards because of its excellent price quality ratio. It’s a country that doesn’t go out of fashion and one in which we expect to grow this year.
“It’s never good that the company of reference reduces its operations, but Thailand is a country with various flight alternatives. Any flight that increases connectivity is positive; better still if the new flights are with a quality company.”
Similarly for Viajes El Corte Ingles, there had been no long-term effect. Its spokesperson said: “Thailand is already resurging as a main destination. Whatever the alternative is good for us. It’s not high season for travel in Spain yet but our sales are already going well.”
Despite Spain’s ongoing economic woes, a record 123,940 tourists visited Thailand in 2013, up nine per cent on the previous year. Last year the number dipped to 116,500.
