Thailand welcomed 25 million visitors in ten months of 2015
Bangkok- Thailand welcomed the 25 millionth visitor, who arrived in the kingdom at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, to a special greeting ceremony jointly organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Airports of Thailand, the Immigration Bureau, Thai Airways International (THAI) and True Corporation on Nov.10 this year.
Kalin Sarasin, Chairman of the TAT Board of Directors said, “Thailand now enters the usual peak season and we look forward to welcoming the next few millionth visitors between this month and December. November boasts the impressive festival of lights or Loi Krathong while December is the month of many celebrations, especially the highly-anticipated ‘Bike for Dad 2015’ in honour of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the auspicious occasion of his 88th Birthday Anniversary.”
Ian Andrew Mcculloch from Scotland, United Kingdom, was granted the “Thailand’s Luckiest Visitor” certificate, two economy-class return tickets from and to Thailand valid for one year, a voucher for a five-night stay at a luxury accommodation, and a mobile phone with a 4G sim-card and seven-day Internet usage.
The “Thailand’s Luckiest Visitor” welcoming events are part of the TAT’s “2015 Discover Thainess” campaign, which showcases Thailand’s most charming attractions: diversity of destinations, the spicy flavours of Thai food, the colour of Thai traditions, festivals and culture, and the friendliness of the Thai people. The “millionth tourist” welcoming activity has been such a success that it has now been extended to 31 December, 2015, to celebrate one of Thailand’s best ever years in terms of tourist arrivals.
According to the preliminary figures released by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Thailand welcomed a total of 24.36 million visitors in the first 10 months of 2015, up 24.75% year-on-year, raising hopes that arrivals this year will be well over the target of 28.8 million.
Thailand as a Quality Leisure Destination
Meanwhile,Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports Kobkam Wattanavrangkul reiterated plans to position Thailand as a Quality Leisure Destination at a program held during World Travel Market (WTM) 2015 in London recently.
The Royal Thai Government recognises the tourism industry as one of its priority economic sectors, and to facilitate this sector, it has approved several infrastructure projects including the expansion of major international airports in Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang), Phuket, and Pattaya. There are plans to upgrade the cruise port in Phuket and build new facilities in Krabi, Ko Samui, and Surat Thani, as well as to kick off a Super Yacht market in Thailand.
Thailand is expanding its global profile as a venue for world-class sport events. Being the country of origin of Muay Thai, Thailand is also promoting the country as the best place to experience this great sport. Other sports events highlighted in Thailand’s tourism marketing plans are the yacht regattas, golfing, and biking.
Thailand is also set to leverage the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by introducing “Two Countries One Destination” packages to global travellers focusing on its connectivity with Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam.
Thailand welcomed more than 24 million visitor arrivals in 2014, including six million arrivals from Europe, a market share of 24 percent.
In 2015, Thailand is projecting to earn 25.5 billion GBP (1.4 trillion Baht) in tourism income from 28.8 million international visitors.
Source :tatnews.org , Nov. 2015
