Issue 63

Thai tourism continues to play a significant role in the growth of the country, with record profits and a new campaign, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is readying itself to host ATF 2018.

TAT announced its targets for 2017 and launched its new campaign Shaping Our Tourism Journey Together at the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2017 hosted by Singapore from January 16 to 20.

“In 2016, we achieved a new record breaking situation in terms of revenue and number of tourist arrivals with 32.6 million visitors, generating 1.65 trillion baht (around US$46 billion) in revenue, and increasing by 9% compared with the previous year,” said Dr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT’s governor at the event.

“In 2017, in order to achieve our goal of 1.8 trillion baht (approximately US$50 billion) with 34.5 million overseas travellers, we developed an innovative new campaign called Unique Local Experiences to promote Thailand tourism to the world.

“Today, more and more people are looking for the real and authentic local stories. We therefore deliver unique Thai local experiences to our tourists to attract them and to change their perspectives to visit Thailand not only for the sightseeing experience, but also for learning and touching the real Thai lifestyle, … and experiencing so many remarkable things in this amazing country.”

TAT’s governor also informed the audience that Thailand is preparing to host ATF 2018 in Chiang Mai, and announced its theme ASEAN – Sustainable Connectivity, Boundless Prosperity. He hoped that this event would cement closer cooperation among ASEAN countries.

Members of the Thai tourism sector were in buoyant mood too.

“Our hotels have been fully booked all year, almost every year,” said Komjet Chantaravisoot, executive director of Santhiya Resorts & Spas. “International tourists especially Europeans, truly love the Thainess represented through our decorations and the warm hospitality and kind service of the Thai people. These have been the unique selling points of the country that we should maintain,”

Piyawan Chirayus, the director of sales of Merlin Hotel in Phuket, while agreeing about the strength of tourism in Thailand, stressed the need for close collaboration within the sector.

“Though our tourism situation is obviously positive, we still need to meet our buyers in person to hear their feedback, in order to keep on improving our services to meet their expectations and increase their satisfaction to make them return to visit again and again,” he said.

Mingkwan Metmowlee, vice president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents also commented upon the strengths of country’s tourism.

“Thailand has a very high potential in tourism,” she said. “We have all the necessary things to support tourists including transportation, services, tourism locations, culture and knowledge. According to the new campaign Visit ASEAN@50: Golden Celebration launched at the event, we think that 2017 will be a very good year for Thai tourism, as more and more ASEAN travellers show an interest in coming to visit Thailand.”

For more information, please visit: www.atf2017.com, www.tourismthailand.org
Photo courtesy of ATF2017
Words by Patcharee Taedangpetch