Train takes the strain in canada.
Rocky Mountaineer, the Canadian travel company , is encouraging tourists in Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, to visit Canada and have new travel experiences by riding the train.
The company introduced its train travel service in the region because it sees a lot of potential from travellers with high spending power, said Dianna Schinella, Asia-Pacific sales manager.
The company has had at least 10% annual growth in Southeast Asia since it opened its regional sales office in Australia in 2010.
"The positive economic growth in many countries and the changing behaviour of tourists looking for new tourism experiences and destinations will benefit our products and services," Ms Schinella said.
Rocky Mountaineer offers 45 Canadian holiday packages and rail routes through british columbia and alberta. Over the past 22 years, it has grown to become the largest privately owned passenger rail service provider in North America and welcomed more than one million guests from around the world.
The company launched its tourism products in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore last year. This year. it is seriously focusing on Thailand, japan and hong kong.
Ms Schinella said the company expects to sell at least 1000 package tours in the region this year, of which 200 will be for Thailand, where train travel is a new product.
Although sales from Southeast Asia are still very small, Rocky Mountaineer is confident that the region will be among its top four markets in the next five years, she said.
Siam Express has been appointed as general sales agent for Rcoky Mountaineer in Thailand.
Executive director Tanya Pirapokin said inbound and outbound tourism for Thailand have a very positive outlook this year, with the stronger baht boosting outbound tourism.
Moreover, the high costs at many domestic destinations have persuaded some Thai tourists to feel that overseas trips are not much more expensive.
"Many Thais travel abroad at least once a year, particularly to nearby destinations such as Hong Kong and Singapore. We are confident that Canada's Rocky Mountains will be popular among Thai travellers soon,"Ms Tanya said.
Key target customers are experienced travellers aged from 40 with a good education and looking for unique travel.