Thailand works to lure ASEAN tourists

2/6/2018 - 10:27:00 AM

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has set up a plan to attract visitors from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) following a research forecasting the number of ASEAN arrivals to reach 10 million this year.

Many tourists in Bangkok visit the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. (Photo: Bangkokpost)

Thailand has opened 30 overland border checkpoints for international visitors from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Malaysia. There are four friendship bridges with Laos and two with Myanmar and many are under plan.

For air connectivity, many low-cost airlines in Vietnam, China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan (China) and Hong Kong (China) have offered services to Thailand’s tourist destinations like Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai.

Meanwhile, marine connectivity is on the rise, with Phuket, Pattaya and Koh Samio home to a number of cruise and yachting marinas. Ferries to connecting with Malaysia are growing and is expected to grow with Indonesia, Cambodia and Myanmar in the coming time.

In order to boost ASEAN arrivals, the tourism authority has launched a travel manual called "Experience Thailand and More”, focusing on four key experiences: ASEAN history, natural trail, culture trail and adventure trail.

The TAT is cooperating with Vietjet Group to open direct flights from Vietnam to Thailand, probably from Ho Chi Minh City to Khon Kaen to enhance travel movement.

It is also emphasising niche markets such as weddings, honeymoons and female visitors.

The Thai Government targets to attract 37 million foreign visitors and earn 92 billion USD in tourism revenue in 2018.

Source: VNA

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