With India removing her travel barriers, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has stepped up destination marketing in the massive source market to rebuild what was once the Kingdom’s fastest-growing tourist market pre-pandemic.
TAT is focusing on millennials, golfers, luxury travellers, wellness seekers, wedding groups and honeymooners – segments that it expects to be the first-movers as travel curbs ease.
Besides engaging in publicity and marketing activities aimed at trade and consumers, TAT is planning a number of fam trips for key partners such as travel agents and wedding planners to spur demand. It will also join hands with Indian digital influencers to promote travel to Thailand.
“We expect the Indian market to rebound strongly for us. Our focus in India is to showcase Thailand with new perspectives and experiences. So, we will be promoting products like diving, hiking and eco-tourism. We want to promote sustainable tourism and that’s why segments like millennials are important, as they understand the importance of travelling responsibly,” said Tanes Petsuwan, deputy governor for Asia and South Pacific, TAT during a virtual press address in New Delhi last week.
Tanes shared that the NTO will also go deeper into India, targeting new markets such as the north-eastern states, which are seeing improved access to Thailand via Myanmar overland.
The India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway, most commonly known as the IMT Highway, is being constructed as part of India’s Look East policy. Once completed, the highway will connect Moreh in India with Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar.
“Good tourist demand is expected from India starting from April. We are carrying out joint promotions with airlines and travel trade partners for the promotion of Thailand. Many wedding planners have expressed interest in taking their groups to Thailand,” said Vachirachai Sirisumpan, director, TAT, New Delhi office.
Travel agents told TTG Asia that overseas destination weddings are returning.
Preecha C Singh, registrar, Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), said one of his members is handling a 400-pax Indian wedding group, with guests coming from Mumbai and Bengaluru.
Nearly two million Indian tourists visited Thailand in 2019, a growth of 25 per cent compared to the previous year.
