INDIANS TRAVEL UNDETERRED TO THAILAND
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Statistics released by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) headquarters indicate high consumer confidence in Thailand. A total of 59,794 Indians visited Thailand during the first month of the year. The figures are a true witness of the fact that Indian travellers continue to visit to Thailand, despite the Kingdom’s internal political strife, which remains isolated to only a few areas in Bangkok. Travel agents remain motivated to sell Thailand as they have experienced no cancellations from their customers. Major events, too, have gone ahead smoothly in the destination.
Sethaphan Buddhani, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) – Mumbai Office said, “The numbers are very encouraging. The fact that arrivals from India continue to remains strong indicates that our efforts to create awareness in the market are bearing fruit. We have continually reassured travel agents and travellers that protesters in Bangkok are not targeting tourists and that the city remains safe for travel. We have also been encouraging people to treat this as an incentive to explore Thailand beyond Bangkok. I am happy to see that travellers are assured by our words and that they continue to enjoy holidaying in Thailand.”
Travel beyond Bangkok is key to TAT’s 2014 strategy and exploration is already becoming a trend among travellers. ”Repeat travellers in particular, who comprise 60 per cent of Thailand’s incoming tourism market, are no longer satisfied with an itinerary restricted to Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya. Chiang Mai, Chai Rai, Koh Kut, Krabi, Hua Hin and Koh Samui are seeing rapidly escalating demand,” Buddhani added.