Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is showcasing tailor-made packages and niche markets, and widening the Thailand tourism product beyond Bangkok and the beaches at the ongoing Arabian Travel Market (ATM) expo in Dubai.

Representatives from the TAT, Chiang Mai, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau, the tour operator and travel industry sectors are working on an enhanced promotional campaign to continue growth out of the Middle East market.

TAT director of the Dubai and Middle East office, Chalermsak Suaranat, said that during the past two years, the number of visitor to Thailand from the region had grown considerably: “While the UAE remains in top position bringing 108,994 visitors to Thailand in 2012, other GCC countries are also emerging as potential expanding markets including Oman, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

“Last year, Oman produced 65,690 visitors to Thailand, an increase of 21.7 per cent compared to 2011 -this was the highest increase across the Middle East region – and to further boost tourism we will be organising a series of road shows and familiarisation trips to Thailand, inviting media from the GCC as well as the Levant region including Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt to promote the destination.”

Throughout the remainder of 2013, the TAT Dubai & Middle East Office will be implementing a range of marketing strategies to attract Middle East tourists through the ‘Charm of Thainess’ which includes ‘Thai Experience’, ‘Thai Way of Life’ and ‘Thai Culture’.

TAT Dubai will also continue to reinforce the Thailand brand “Amazing Thailand Always Amazes You”, with a core focus on authenticity, value for money, and hospitality. In a recent survey conducted by the TripAdvisor travel site, Bangkok was rated the world’s second best city next to New York for tourist shopping and third best city for Value for Money.

Suaranat added that in 2013 a focus will be to offer tailor made itineraries, customised to individual clients’ requirement from a holiday in Thailand – whether it be group or individual. Middle East travellers are perfectly suited for this campaign as we focus more on the needs of each individual, couple, group or family.”   

Niche markets being promoted in the region include Health and Wellness, Wedding and Honeymoon, Green Tourism and Golf, where he said Thailand offered exceptional value for money compared to other parts of the world: “Major and minor surgery along with cosmetics and dental care at the kingdom’s many numerous and highly qualified and specialised hospitals are being promoted as well as Thailand’s spa and wellbeing centres.”

The Arabian Travel Market, the biggest tourism and travel show in the Middle East, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, event runs until May 9 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. – TradeArabia News Service