Thailand welcomed over 35.3 million international visitors in 2017 and earned 1.82 trillion Baht in tourism revenue.
The precise number of overseas tourists visiting Thailand in 2017 was 35,381,210; showing an increase of 8.77 percent over 2016. India ranks in top 5 list of highest number of visitors to Thailand after China, Malaysia, Korea and Laos. In 2017, over 1.4 million Indians travelled to Thailand which is over 18% increase from last year.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Mumbai showcased its new campaigns ‘Open to the New Shades of Thailand’ and ‘Amazing Thailand Tourism Year 2018’ at OTM 2018 held in Mumbai from 18th- 20th January 2018. Around 22 agents from Thailand participated in OTM this year, this included Hotels like Aonang Princeville Resort & Spa, Golden Tulip Sovereign Hotel, Bangkok, Royal Cliff Hotels Group, Ramada Phuket Deevana and many more along with other DMCS and entertainment companies like Phuket Aqua Project, Phuket FantaSea Public Co. Ltd., Thai Adventure Club, Siam Ocean World Bangkok Co. Ltd, Safari World Public Co. Ltd., Siam Park Bangkok Co. Ltd, ASIATIQUE the Riverfront. TAT also had the support of Thai Airways, Thai Smile & Bangkok Airways at the event. Travellers can count on these airlines to make a trip to Thailand memorable right from the start.
The destination presentation showcased various new regions and provinces of Thailand that Indians should visit like Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khao Yai, Rayong, Ko Chang and highlighted various uber luxury experiences available in Thailand. Also, Thailand is gaining popularity for its diving sites and adventure activities. The newly launched Michelin Guidebook highlights Bangkok’s best dining experiences and street food. At OTM 2018, visitors got a chance to interact with the Thai private sector, saw the art of Pang Puang or Thai vintage powder garland making and learnt Thai language at an interactive Karoke booth.
Soraya Homchuen, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mumbai
TAT is initiating many unique activities and projects this year that will focus on promoting women, family and first time traveller segments for the Indian market. OTM is India’s largest and most international gathering of travel trade buyers and professionals, and most importantly it is conducted in Mumbai each year which is headquarters to almost all major outbound tour operators. Each year there have been entire entourages of Thai suppliers who benefit from participating in OTM, as they get a platform to showcase their products to the travel trade and consumers alike. Participating in OTM works best for Thailand as agents get to meet face-to-face and build long-term business relations with their partners in India.
Santi Chudintra, Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Asia and the South Pacific)
The new campaign ‘Open to the New Shades of Thailand’ aims to give more attention to unique local experiences and inclusive tourism, reflecting Thainess and the Thai people’s warmth in welcoming visitors. Within this, there is a focus on specific customer segments; such as, gastronomy tourism, luxury, weddings and honeymoons, families, female travellers and Gen Y. Also the new campaign ‘Amazing Thailand Tourism Year 2018’ has been launched to support the government’s national tourism development plan, ensuring that Thailand remains a preferred destination and delivers a quality product; thus boosting the average length of stay, expenditure and repeat visit.