The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is sending the message to the worldwide travel and tourism industry that the ‘Always Warm’ Thailand has fully reopened again to international tourism.
“After the pandemic, sustainable and inclusive growth have become the focus in Thailand’s tourism sector. So we promote and adopt the Thai government’s Bio-Circular-Green or BCG Economy Model to engage the community and use its strength to create value-added products and shape out experiences. This is to help reduce the impact on the environment and promotes responsible practices among all.”
Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports
The ‘Andaman Wellness Corridor’
The Thai government is also planning to promote Thailand’s beautiful Andaman coastline as the ‘Andaman Wellness Corridor’ – with Phuket already well established as a wellness destination, and the other Andaman coastal provinces like Krabi and Phang-nga planning to develop a public healthcare system, a medical community, a senior care centre and patient care centre. Phuket is bidding to host the Specialised Expo in 2028.
“To boost the high season, TAT is launching the “Always Warm” winter campaign to drive sales and increase flights and seating capacity during the peak or winter season, as tourists are looking for a place to escape the cold. We want to invite travellers to Thailand, a place that is always warm. Thailand is well-known for its warm and sunny weather, and warm Thai hospitality.”
Mr. Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications
Strategic marketing campaigns will be launched to bring more visitors from existing markets like the UK and Europe, as well as new markets like Saudi Arabia and large secondary cities in the USA through partnerships with airlines.
As part of the campaign, the TAT London Office is carrying out joint marketing with partner tour operators and charter tour operators like Trailfinders and the Flight Centre, and also launching advertisements promoting the “Always Warm” campaign. In addition, the TAT Frankfurt Office is working with EVA Airlines to launch a new Munich-Taipei-Bangkok route in November, to help boost European arrivals.
Thailand now fully reopened
Thailand has now fully reopened to international tourism, and since 1 October, 2022, visitors are no longer required to show proof of vaccination or ATK test results. The period of stay has also been extended (through until 31 March, 2023) to 45 days from 30 days for tourists from countries/territories entitled for visa exemption, and to 30 days from 15 days for those eligible for a Visa on Arrival (VOA).
For the period of 1 January-26 October, 2022, the total number of visitor arrivals to Thailand was 7,349,843 and tourism revenue generated amounted to 378 billion Baht. With the traditional high season of October to March now in play, around 1.5 million tourists are expected to arrive each month, and according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, the number of seats into Thailand has risen to over 573,000 per week for the winter airline timetable (30 October, 2022-25 March, 2023) – up 74.2 per cent from the summer timetable.
2022 full year target set to 10 million international arrivals
TAT is confident the 2022 full year target of 10 million international arrivals and total tourism revenue of 1.5 trillion Baht will be met – representing 50 per cent of the total income from tourism revenue of the pre-pandemic era.
For 2023, the TAT is forecasting 20 million international arrivals and total tourism revenue of 2.38 trillion Baht, around 80 per cent of the tourism revenue generated in 2019 – with 1.5 trillion Baht coming from foreign tourists.
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