Tourism Thailand 2011
At the beginning of March, the annual International Tourism Fair (ITB 2011) took place in Berlin, the largest event in the world in this field. Thailand was also traditionally present there and on the occasion of the opening, the Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) held a press conference.
A presentation was held on behalf of Mr. Vichai Srikwan, Chairman of the TAT Board of Directors, which contained a number of interesting topics:
“In 2010, the world slowly emerged from the trough of economic recession and Thailand is particularly proud to have experienced a remarkable recovery in the travel industry last year. Thanks to the hard work of all government agencies involved, the private sector and all our supporters and partners abroad, we were able to achieve our set goals for that year.
The number of international visitors to Thailand amounted to 15,84 million, a good growth of 12 percent compared to 14,14 million in 2009. Revenues amounted to 585 billion baht (14 billion euros). For 2011, the TAT aims for 15,5 – 16 million international visitors with an expected turnover of 600 billion baht (14,2 billion euros).
The reason we are meeting with you here at ITB today is that we want to work with you to further increase Thailand's tourism traffic.
First of all, we will strengthen the Thailand brand by further expanding the already well-known 'Amazing Thailand' campaign. For this year, we add the slogan “Thailand always amazes you”, aiming to enhance the positive emotions that visitors associate with the unique charm of “Thai-ness”, the hospitality and friendliness of the Thai people, and our unique art and culture.
Let me give you an idea of the direction of the Thai tourism industry. In the past, Thai tourism development was focused on social and economic development. We have changed that course and are paying more attention to minimizing the environmental impact of tourism. TAT focuses on three key aspects of tourism – the economy, the environment and society – to ensure long-term tourism.
About the European market I can say that tourists from Europe have always played an important role in the development of tourism in Thailand. We are pleased that this trend continues.
In 2010, the United Kingdom topped the list with 818000 visitors, followed by Germany with 612 and Russia with 611,000. The European visitors stayed an average of 14 days and spent an average of 3.600 Baht (83 euros) per person per day. Europe accounts for a turnover of approximately 206 billion baht (4,2 billion euros), which means approximately 40% of the total Thai tourism market.
86% of European visitors are individual travelers, of which 63% have already been to Thailand. For the year 2011, Thailand expects approximately 4,45 million visitors from Europe.
A few more figures about air traffic to Thailand. The capacity of all flights to Thailand from Europe in 2010 amounted to more than 12.000 flights and 3,80 million seats. Germany leads the list with a total of 2.000 flights and around 740.000 seats, followed by the United Kingdom with 1.700 flights and 620.000 million seats and Russia with 1.400 flights and 450.000 seats.
For this year we have come up with a number of new marketing campaigns for the European market. First, Bangkok is Asia's international aviation hub with over 40 million passengers passing through Suvarnabhumi Airport each year. Of all these arriving passengers, 3,42 million are transfer passengers, for which we are running a “Bangkok Stopover Amazing Offers” campaign. The aim of this project is to encourage transiting European travelers to break their journey for a few days in Bangkok.
With the new airport rail link, visitors can quickly and easily get to the center of Bangkok for some sightseeing or shopping. Vouchers are made available for this campaign – e.g. for a visit to a beauty salon (spa and wellness), temples, theme parks, restaurants and more – to encourage visitors to come back for a longer period of time. Target markets are transfer travelers from the main European cities, especially in London, Paris, Stockholm, Moscow.
Secondly, TAT will focus on maintaining its share in the global tourism market. Thailand is still an important long-haul destination with the best value-for-money for the European visitor.
We will encourage strategic partners and airlines to offer travel incentives and packages so that Amazing Thailand still has Amazing Value for the European holidaymaker
Third, the family is a market to which we will pay attention. The wide range of accommodation and services makes Thailand ideal for a family holiday. Also think about the many activities that can be done as a family.
Thailand is already very popular among golfers in Europe and we now intend to capitalize on a new trend: family golf. This will target family members to go golfing together such as the 'Father and Son', 'Mommy and Me' projects. Thailand must also become a golf paradise for families.
Entire families can enjoy a rejuvenating treatment at a spa or relax with a Thai massage after a day of sightseeing. Also, their health can be checked in hospitals with all facilities, which meet international standards.
EVA Air started a project called “Amazing Thailand Amazing Family” during this fair. The airline offers a special package for 2 adults and 1 child. This package is valid for the period March-October 2011 and is especially aimed at London, Amsterdam and Vienna.
To promote our Go Green Go Thailand campaign, attention is paid to responsible tourism, sustainability and ecotourism. This campaign promotes numerous villages, which have been researched and qualified, for things like bird watcher trips, eco-friendly scuba diving, bike rides and nature walks. Examples from this campaign are the scents and perfumes of Central Thailand in eg Amphawa, Samut Songkhram and Phetchaburi; the charm of the Isan; the crossroads of cultures in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai; the Spirit of Lannai n Lamphun and Lampang. The booklet “Thailand 50 Great Green Escapes” was recently published for this purpose.
Also hotels and resorts in Thailand are now being recognized for their environmental efforts by the Green Leaf Certification Program. We currently have 220 Green Leaf hotels and 535 non-smoking hotels.”
The presentation is concluded with a whole story about their website, which one should consult regularly.
About this blogger
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Bert Gringhuis (1945), born and raised in Almelo in the beautiful Twente. Later lived for many years in Amsterdam and Alkmaar, working in export for various companies. I first came to Thailand in 1980 and immediately fell in love with the country. Been back many times since then and moved to Thailand after my (early) retirement as a widower. I have been living there for 22 years now with my somewhat younger Thai lady Poopae.
My first experiences in Thailand as a kind of newsletter sent to family, friends and acquaintances, which later appeared under the name Gringo on Thailandblog. Many, many articles followed those first stories and that has grown into an almost daily hobby.
In the Netherlands still an avid footballer and football referee, but the years are starting to tell and in Thailand still avid, but the pool billiards is really of inferior quality, ha ha!
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As usual with the TAT: a lot of boasting and little vision. The TAT is still about numbers. Fewer Japanese, then more Russians and Indians. The TAT is a powerless, lifeless and initiativeless club that devours a lot of money.
Unfortunately you are right. But this also applies to most NTOs.
Incidentally, the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) countries will make an enormous contribution to international tourism in the next 10-20 years. Cannot be avoided. Can't really say it, of course, but when I see the Russians and Chinese traveling through Asia like this, I sometimes think that there was actually nothing wrong with good old-fashioned communism and locking those countries. 😉
They should never have broken down that wall.
a lot is going to change in thailand. de long-stayers in thailand would be regarded as immigrants. the law on residence, visa legislation would be adjusted.
if they are going to have a lot of laws and this and that compliments, it will break their heart and they will look for many other places.
let's hope it doesn't go that fast.
I hope to be able to follow the change regarding visa requirements, etc. here on this site
thank you in advance.