Bangkok, 10 February, 2016 – High-level Thai delegations, led by Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Somkid Jatusripitak and six ministers, staged official visits to the Sultanate of Oman and Islamic Republic of Iran from 31 January to 3 February, 2016, with the objective of further strengthening trade and tourism relations between Thailand and the two Middle East countries.
The six ministers travelling with Dr. Somkid were Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Science and Technology Minister H.E. Mr. Pichet Durongkaveroj, Industry Minister H.E. Mrs. Atchaka Sibunruang, Energy Minister H.E. General Anantaporn Kanjanarat, Finance Minister H.E. Mr. Apisak Tantivorawong and Commerce Minister H.E. Mrs. Apiradee Tantraporn. Dr. Somkid, the six ministers, and 71 representatives from Thai public and private agencies visited Oman from 31 January to 1 February and Iran from 2-5 February.
As part of this official visit, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) successfully enhanced the awareness of Thailand as a top destination for medical tourism through three targeted events: the TAT Governor Business Meeting with airlines and tour companies in Muscat, Oman on 31 January; the high-profile meeting between the TAT Governor and Mr. Sayyid Adil bin Al Mardas Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Oman Ministry of Tourism on 1 February, and another TAT Governor Business Meeting with airlines and tour companies in Tehran, Iran on 2 February.
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TAT’s business meeting in Muscat was attended by six tour operators and three leading airlines serving routes between Thailand and Middle Eastern cities – Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Thai Airways International. Meanwhile, the event in Tehran, which was attended by 10 tour operators included the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between TAT and Mahan Air, followed an exclusive briefing on the MOU to 14 Tehran-based media. The agreement of the MOU concludes on the collaboration to promote Thailand as a welcoming destination and family holiday for Muslim travellers as well as possibility to launch new routes from Tehran to other Thailand’s tourist hot spots apart from Bangkok.
Dr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor said, “This official visit by high-ranking government officials from Thailand, along with leading Thai business entrepreneurs, demonstrates the commitment of the Royal Thai Government in strengthening the trade and tourism relations with Oman and Iran. As for TAT, the visit aligns well with our on-going strategy to reaffirm the good image of Thailand as a top tourist destination as well as to further promote Thailand as a Muslim friendly destination to the Middle Eastern markets with highlights on luxury, family and couples activities.”
According to the international visitor arrivals in 2015, the number of Iranian tourists increased 31.35 percent to 88,244 over the last year while Omani travellers rose 9.72 percent up to 85,726.
Contact Information
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Tourism Authority of Thailand
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