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Thailand’s tourism pioneers reach 60

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BANGKOK, 15 November 2019: Thai Airways International and the Tourism Authority of Thailand will launch campaigns to boost tourism to Thailand during their 60th-anniversary celebrations in 2020.

TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn and THAI president, Sumeth Damrongchaitham, announced the joint promotions at a media event earlier this week.

Promotions will target specific market segments such as the Silver Generation (seniors), Millennials, and Gen X to boost travel to the country in 2020.

Both organisations have seen markets soften this year. Tourist arrivals have slowed, and the national airline suffered its worst financial losses in decades.

TAT will support marketing activities by providing information on tourism activities conducted by TAT, especially activities that can attract more foreign tourists.

One of the events is the Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok that will take place on February 2 2020.

Others include the annual World Wai Kru Muay Thai (March 17), the Great Mekong Bike Ride, and international sports events such as golf tournaments and the MotoGP held annually in Buriram.

THAI can then bundle the events into attractive holiday packages that the airline’s overseas sales offices can promote.

THAI and TAT will also jointly promote the annual Amazing Thailand Grand Sale, and the airline will offer a  “THAI Pass Plus” during Green Season (rainy season) to boost low-season travel.

Both organisations are pledging to support the introduction of responsible tourism that reduces waste and bans single-use plastic in the Thailand travel experience.

THAI President, Sumeth Damrongchaitham,  said THAI flies around 18 to 20 million passengers worldwide in each year.

The two organisations turn 60 in 2020 and need to make drastic changes to bring them in line with the digital age, including a serious rethink on staff levels that are considerably higher than most national tourist offices and airlines in Asia. THAI has been slow to adopt online sales, while TAT relies on the business model of overseas offices in an era when business is conducted online. Its domestic network needs a review as most of its activities are duplicated by provincial tourism offices under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

Joint projects of TAT and THAI in 2020 such as THAI Pass Plus campaign allow passengers use either THAI or THAI Smile boarding passes to obtain discount or souvenirs at stores participating TAT’s Amazing Thailand Grand Sale nationwide.

(Source THAI)

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