Stronger baht upsets pricing

BANGKOK, 22 May 2013: Tourism Authority of Thailand has urged overseas offices to keep a close eye on foreign exchange markets and the impact on the country’s tourism due to currency fluctuations.

TAT governor, Suraphon Svetasreni, said although the strengthening of the Thai baht against major worldwide currencies has so far not posed a threat to Thailand’s travel industry, TAT offices have been instructed to report on the impact of fluctuations mainly on holiday costs and competiveness.

The main concern for the TAT governor is a loss of pricing competitiveness in European markets. A stronger baht has increased the cost of a Thailand holiday for a resident in the eurozone by 12% to 15% in just a year.

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Prizes pack domestic travel show

BANGKOK, 17 May 2013: Tourism Authority of Thailand hopes its consumer domestic fair Wan Thammada Thi Mai Thammada (An ordinary day turns special) to boost tourism during the up-coming low season.

The domestic fair opened Thursday and runs through to Sunday 19 May at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, Plenary Hall zone C, 1000 to 2000.

At the opening ceremony, TAT domestic market deputy governor, Thawatchai Aranyik, said organising the fair would support the government’s policy to raise tourism revenue to Bt2 trillion.

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Fairs boosts dive and golf travel

BANGKOK, 17 May 2013: The Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre organiser expects its 10th Thailand Travel & Dive Expo together with Golf Expo 2013 will  encourage more year-round travel and help to close the revenue gap between peak and low seasons.

NCC Exhibition Organiser Co Ltd board, Sakchai Pattarapreechakul, said the fair organised with the Tourism Authority of Thailand should encourage  more domestic tourists to travel year round.

“The Dive expo was started in 2004. NCC talked to people who loved diving and since then it has grown into a very successful show. The fair offers variety for travellers who love sport and adventure.”

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TAT targets youth travel

BANGKOK, 13 May 2013: Tourism Authority of Thailand will harness website applications to reach a growing youth travel market.

Malaysia, China, Russia and India are the four top sources of youth travel to Thailand.

TAT tourism products and business deputy governor, Vilaiwan Twichasri, said young travellers are an important segment for Thailand’s tourism industry.

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TAT finalises TTM features

BANGKOK, 30 April 2013: Tourism Authority of Thailand says this year’s Thailand Travel Mart’s welcome reception will honour foreign travel-related professionals who have supported Thailand’s tourism.

It was decided to move the awards presentation for the 2013 “Friends of Thailand,” which is normally part of the annual Thailand Tourism Awards to the TTM to add value to the show.

The welcome reception this year will adopt a street food theme to reflect the country’s most popular dining activity.

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TAT skypes agents on Euro trends

BANGKOK, 26 April 2013: Tourism Authority of Thailand Moscow office director, Pasakorn Supannapan, says Thai travel agents should tap Russian and CIS markets to compensate for losses elsewhere in Europe.

Presenting a market brief, via Skype, to the Association of Thai Travel Agent meeting, Thursday, the TAT Moscow office director said Russia and CIS countries could compensate for losses elsewhere.

“Russian tourist arrivals grew 25% to 1,317,387 visits last year. The market also continues to expand January to March this year with 584,517 Russian representing an increase of 26%.”

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TAT wants quality tourists

BANGKOK, 22 April 2013: Tourism Authority of Thailand believes its recently launched website www.ThailandSuperQuality.com  will encourage quality tourists to spend more cash in the country. TAT governor, Suraphon Svetasreni, said TAT has adjusted its marketing plan to suit changes in tourist behaviour and what he called new-generation customers looking for luxury tourism products. “The new website will be a marketing channel to provide  information direct to tourists to draw attention to luxury and premium tourism with various marketing activities to promote Thai tourism to the online community.” Read more

Elite card taps real estate

BANGKOK, 3 April 2013: Tourism Authority of Thailand says it will launch an Elite Card package that will tap real estate investment opportunities for travellers, who are looking for long-stay options.

TAT governor and Thailand Privilege Card Company president, Suraphon Svetasreni, said the company’s board agreed  the Elite card should target investors who are looking for real estate  buys in Thailand.

“The scheme will tap international travellers and investors who interested in real estate particularly condominiums, but we will need to study details carefully to ensure the package is lawful.”

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TAT extends reach to media

BANGKOK, 2 April 2013: The International Public Relations Division of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched a new Facebook page, ‘Tourism Thailand – Inter PR’ (http://on.fb.me/V9GYm9) to support media and TAT overseas offices.

The Facebook page brings together news and updates on the Thai tourism industry on a single platform to give what TAT calls “timesaving access for media and anyone who is interested in Thailand’s tourism”.

The official launch statement said it would promote Thai tourism by creating positive tourism awareness online.

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Double check on buyer selection

BANGKOK, 1 April 2013: Tourism Authority of Thailand says buyers eligible to be hosted at the Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2013, 5 to 7 June, will have been vetted and endorsed by Thailand’s leading tourism associations.

Supervising the event, a TAT’s American Market Division official told TTR Weekly that the buyer selection process would be based on the potential the travel company has to deliver tourists to the country. But they will also have to convince the hotel and travel agency associations that they a worthwhile track record.

“Every year the authority seeks to mix new buyers alongside recognised international and local operators who have a measurable track record. TTM is our single B2B business event that showcases Thailand.”

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