The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has recently shared that Thailand has welcomed over 82,420 Indian visitors between January 1 to May 19, 2022. This overwhelming response has made India the number one source market for Thailand at present.
Prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, India was the fastest-growing market for Thailand in 2019. Thailand welcomed nearly two million Indians during that year with a growth of 25 per cent and generated 86 billion baht in revenue.
TAT intends to focus on rebuilding the Indian market with a particular emphasis on special interest groups with high spending. These include weddings and honeymoons, golf, millennials, and workation. The NTO expects 500,000 Indian visitors to travel to Thailand in 2022.
To celebrate the re-opening of Amazing Thailand with “Visit Thailand Year 2022” and the launch of the new marketing campaign “Amazing New Chapters”, TAT, along with Thai Airways International organised a destination presentation and reception for the Indian travel trade and media on May 17, 2022, at The Leela Palace, New Delhi.
The event started with a destination presentation by Tanes Petsuwan – Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Asia & South Pacific) who updated the Indian travel trade and media, about the current tourism situation and SOP’s for visiting Thailand. He also updated the audience about new products and destinations in Amazing Thailand.
Tanes also spoke about the launch of “Visit Thailand Year 2022”. “With the new campaign, we are inviting the world’s travellers to experience a deeper connection with the Kingdom’s unique culture and precious environment.”
Chapter 1: Awaken Your Senses
This chapter highlights tourism products and services that will awaken all five senses; delicious Thai cuisine and the picturesque natural scenery that can be discovered all throughout the kingdom.
Chapter 2: The One You Love
Chapter 2 focuses on tourism segments including families, couples, and friends, inviting travellers to create wonderful memories together in Thailand.
Chapter 3: The Earth We Care
This chapter aims to highlight how nature has been revitalized. The COVID-19 situation has increased ecotourism awareness among the world’s travellers and how their behaviour has impacted the environment. There is an increasing trend to spending more time in nature and being increasingly conscious of the impact on natural resources.
Tanes also highlighted the various segments that TAT will be focusing on for the Indian market. This includes weddings & honeymoon, gastronomy, health & wellness, Workation and sustainable tourism.
This was followed by a dinner reception that highlighted the 75 years of India-Thai relationships. The evening was studded with a Thai cultural performance along with a grand musical performance by world-known saxophone artist Koh Mr Saxman from Thailand. Saxman was joined by Indian musical artist Vasudha Sharma to honour India-Thai cultural relationship. The guests also enjoyed demonstrations of Thai umbrella painting and paper cutting decoration and relished some delicious Thai food.