China market shines for travel agents

BANGKOK, 18 June 2012: Association of Thai Travel Agents’ member companies handled 1,364,060 international tourists at Suvarnabhumi Airport in the first five months of 2012 representing an increase of 6.14% from 1,285,130 visits during the same period last year.

ATTA released its statistical review, last week, based on fees member agencies pay to the airport to provide a meet-and-greet service for international clients. It is considered an accurate barometer for the tourism industry, but is limited to travel through Bangkok only.

For January to May, this year, China remained Thailand’s strongest market with a 40.56% increase to 377,348 trips compared to 268,462 trips during the same period in 2011. This is increase is in line with Ministry of Tourism data released earlier this month.

Russia continues as the second top market, although it suffered a decline of 2.57% to 228,602 trips compared to 234,662 trips last year.

India, in third place, supplied 109,657 trips an increase of 5.98% from 103,473 trips.

Despite a decline of 3.62%, Japan ranked fourth with 72,750 trips compared to 75,484 trips. Meanwhile, South Korea was fifth, but trips decreased 23.12% to 72,023 from 93,684 during the same period last year.

The next top five suppliers in the first five months were: Vietnam (52,492; +41.58%); Indonesia (34,873; +22.94%); Taiwan (34,508; -48.84%); Germany (33,782; -8.82%); and Hong Kong (31,425; -5.68%).

In May, ATTA confirmed an improvement of 17.65% to 254,437 trips compared to 216,257 trips during the same month in 2011.

China led the field with 72,368 trips increasing 43.68% from 50,368 trips during the same month last year.

India was the second top market with 35,918 trips and increased 21.98% from 29,445 trips.

Russia followed in third place and supplied 20,400 trips improving 14.79% from 17,771 trips during the same month last year.

Japan, in fourth place, supplied13,561 trips and represented an increase of 47.10% from 9,219 trips.

Neighbouring Vietnam, in fifth, provided 12,598 trips and increased 44.01% from 8,748 trips during the same month in 2011.

The other top five markets in May were: South Korea (11,913; -26.29%); Taiwan (10,741; -33.76%); Indonesia (8,101; +9.71%); Hong Kong (6,906; -7.67%); and the United Kingdom (4,841; +25.03%).

Top 10 source markets for ATTA agents January to May at Suvarnabhumi Airport