Joint push for niche tourism in Thailand
THE TOURISM Authority of Thailand and Emirates airline are joining forces to boost niche tourism markets in Thailand.
TAT and the United Arab Emirates' flag carrier signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday to increase promotions for inbound tourism through the airline's global network.
The promotions will focus on niche markets such as green tourism, sports tourism, luxury tourism, weddings and honeymoons, and medical health and wellness.
The agreement also involves the possibility of launching new routes from Dubai to key tourism destinations in Thailand such as Chiang Mai and Pattaya via U-tapao airport.
Badr Abbas, Emirates' senior vice president for commercial operations for the Far East, said the airline carried more than 700,000 passengers from its global network of destinations to Thailand last year.
More than 580,000 of them flew to Bangkok and 120,000 to Phuket.
"Emirates is planning to add its seventh daily flight between Bangkok and Dubai on July 1. This service will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and will help meet growing passenger demand, affirming Thailand's position as a popular destination for business and leisure," he said.
Access to markets
Juthaporn Rerngronasa, TAT's deputy governor for marketing to Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, said Emirates would help TAT access markets in regions that hold great potential for its unique tourism proposition.
Under the agreement, the best strategies and practices will be put in place to increase Thailand's marketing footprint and position it as a "Quality Leisure Destination through Thainess", which focuses on enhancing Thailand's image as a unique leisure destination offering quality with value.
"This ensures the balance between tourism growth and its social and environmental impact by creating 'value-added experiences' and striking a balance among revenue, community and the environment."