Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) started the year 2013 with a promise to achieve the goal of 1.3 million tourist arrivals. With the first quarter of the year closing, the destination closed the first quarter of the year with an increase of approximately 15 per cent as compared to Q1, 2012. “It is overwhelming to see such increase and only reinstates our belief of crossing the 1.3 million mark,” said Sethaphan Buddhani, Director TAT Mumbai.
Recently, Thailand welcomed its new Minister of Tourism and Sports, Somsak Pureesrisak. He has indicated that he would make visitor safety and security a primary focus of attention. The policy emphasis was welcomed by Suraphon Svetasreni, Governor, TAT. “Safety and security for visitors is becoming an over-arching area of importance all through the global travel and tourism industry. We constantly get questions about this matter at international trade shows, and are very pleased that the minister has taken up this issue as a matter of priority,” said Svetasreni.
In addition, continued efforts were made to promote newer markets and segments of travel. A group of wedding planners from the across the country were taken to Thailand on an educational tour of the country. Media and travel agents from Delhi and Mumbai were flown in to Phuket on the new Thai Smile direct flight to Phuket as a means of promoting the destination for family holidays. A concentrated group of travel agents and media were also taken to Bangkok to mark the inaugural flight of Thai Smile from Ahmedabad to Bangkok.
