TAT MOVES TO CALL FOR CONFIDENCE IN JAPANESE MARKET
Tokyo, February 22, 2011 — The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) dispatched a high-level delegation to Tokyo in mid-February for a number of networking events with the Japanese travel trade and media. Chairman of the TAT Board of Directors Vichai Srikwan and TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni addressed a press conference on February 18, 2011, in Tokyo, Japan.
According to Mr Vichai Srikwan, Chairman of the TAT Board, Thailand and Japan have a very long-term relationship going back more than a century. With the Visit World Campaign (VWC), Thailand will be promoting two-way tourism to support the tourism industries of both countries.
TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni, said “The Japanese market is significant to Thai tourism. The 73% of repeat visitors in 2009 reflects the strong bond between our two countries. TAT will attract international tourists with the “Amazing Thailand Always Amazes You” campaign to create emotional marketing by using the charm of Thai hospitality.”
Japan is now Thailand’s third largest source market after Malaysia and China. In 2010, Thailand attracted nearly 985,000 Japanese visitors, a decline of around 2%. However, TAT hopes to have a chance to welcome more Japanese tourists in 2011.
In 2009, Japanese repeat visitors was up 73%. Japanese visitors stayed an average of 7 days and spent an average of 4,400 Baht person per day (or 12,000 JPY). This contributed a total of 28 billion Baht (or 77 billion JPY) tourism foreign exchange revenue to the Thai economy.
For the first six months of 2010, Japanese investors invested 30 billion Baht (or 80 Billion JPY) in Thailand. This is equivalent to 35% of total foreign investments in Thailand.
Thailand has historically been very popular with Japanese independent travellers as well as repeat travellers. There is also a high level of visitation by businessmen and MICE delegates, largely due to the significant Japanese economic and business interests in Thailand.
For the year 2011, a total of more than 103 direct flights are being operated weekly between Thailand and four major cities in Japan by Thai Airways International, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, and others. The opening of Haneda Airport has also facilitated leisure tourists from Tokyo.
Japanese visitors to Thailand can obtain visa-free entry at all international airports and stay up to 30 days. The top five destinations for Japanese tourists are Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Pattaya.
This year, TAT will promote Beyond Bangkok and Beyond Phuket destinations. From either Bangkok or Phuket, tourists can easily access other tourist destinations around the country that they may not have thought about experiencing.
In addition to popular pastimes like golf, diving, and health and wellness treatments, TAT market research shows that Japanese visitors are travelling more to learn about the culture and history of the host country, particularly any history related to Japan.
Green Tourism has not been overlooked. TAT aims to balance the environment, society, and economy by promoting the “Thailand Go Green” Project, which will increase environmental awareness, and in the end lead to sustainable tourism marketing.
For golf, TAT is very pleased to have Mr Ryo Ishikawa as Tourism Ambassador for the second year. Japanese tourists will be able to enjoy playing golf all-year-round at Thailand’s world-class golf courses.
Senior and Long Stay are other market segments that TAT will focus on. Thailand is well-equipped with facilities to serve this group. Chiang Mai is considered as the hub for Japanese long-stay tourists.
In recent months, TAT has teamed up with Japanese trade and consumer partners to step up special sales promotional activities to support the Japanese market.
- Discover Thailand: Beauty Forever: TAT has partnered with major tour operators to promote Thailand’s popular movie locations and tourist attractions that feature as backdrops in films; such as Pool, Sayonara Itsuka, Samurai of Ayothaya, and Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives.
- Golf Promotion: TAT together with major partners is offering a special package on “Golfer’s Paradise in Thailand” and “Princess Golf in Thailand”.
- Japanese Women Promotion: TAT is offering a special package to promote “Spiritual Spots” in Thailand. Other packages are being offered to Japanese tourists in Kansai district for them to visit the beautiful beaches of Phuket and Krabi.
- Joint Sales Promotion with local tour operators: TAT is teaming up with major tour operators to offer package tours on the Bangkok – Ayutthaya, and Bangkok – Phuket routing.
TAT has full-time marketing offices in Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Osaka. A Japanese language website has also been set up: http://www.thailandtravel.or.jp.
International Public Relations Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: prdiv3@tat.or.th
Web site: www.tatnews.org
Credit: Tourism Authority of Thailand (www.tourismthailand.org)
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