TAT outlines 2013 plans

BANGKOK, 10 July 2012: The Tourism Authority of Thailand says it will focus on tapping new markets and boosting first-time visitors using specific niche markets according to deputy governor for international marketing – Europe, Juthaporn Rerngronasa.

She was explaining details of a marketing plan for Europe proposed for the next fiscal year 2012/2013.

“Thailand welcomed 19.23 million tourists last year,” said Ms Juthaporn. “However, repeat tourists represent 60% of all arrivals so we need to build a new base to attract first-time visits,” she said.

The main tactic will be to host fam trips targeting new travel agents  and offer them seminars and workshops to make the trip more worthwhile from a business perspective.

“Niches are very important. We will promote a tailored tourism experience, starting with luxury travel. We are planning to host our own luxury travel mart after participating in luxury marts held in Shanghai, China and Cannes, France for several years; we are ready to host one.”

On the eurozone crisis she said the impact had been limited to Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain that supply only 7% of European visit to Thailand.

“In the first five months of this year visits from Europe grew 10.91%. Even Spain that is currently experiencing an economic crisis grew by 24%.

“Our tactic is to open more charter flights from new cities in major markets. We are talking to charter companies in Vladivostock and Siberia in Russia,” she said.

TAT holding marketing fiscal plan meeting to outline a business plan for next year, it will announce the results at a meeting 16 July that will be attended by private sector tourism players.

The government’s target for tourism revenue is Bt2.2 trillion in 2015.

Last year, Thailand welcomed 19.23 million international tourists, up 20.67% with a revenue of Bt780,000 million that increased 30.94% from 2010.

All figures quoted are from the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Tourism and Sport.