New Delhi, 16 January 2019 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) together with 70 Thai exhibitors participated in the South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE 2019) during 16-19 January, 2019, at the India Expo Mart, Delhi. It is the largest contingent of Thai exhibitors at SATTE, a significant increase over the total of 54 in SATTE 2018.
This year marks the 11th year of Thailand’s presence at SATTE. The 70 exhibitors include 28 hotels and resorts, 21 tour operators and travel agents, five airlines and 16 tourist attractions, and related agencies.
According to TAT Governor Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, “We are very pleased with the strong turnout at SATTE this year. Indian buyers will find an extensive range of products and facilities catering to many different market segments. We also look forward to learning from our Indian friends and partners on how we can expand our presence and brand image in emerging Indian cities and markets.”
On 15 January, Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications also delivered a speech at the Amazing Thailand Product Briefing Networking Lunch. He provided an update of Thailand’s tourism situation, strategies, and new products and services.
India is now one of the top 10 sources of visitor arrivals for Thailand, a member of a small club of countries that generate more than one million visitors a year. In January – November 2018, arrivals from India were up by 12.03% to 1.42 million, generating an estimated 63 billion Baht in tourism income.
The growing sophistication and maturity of the Indian traveller has given enormous opportunity to promote Thailand’s diverse range of niche-market products to women travellers, high-net worth individuals, weddings and honeymoons, and family groups.
Today, a new strata of experienced, well-heeled and Internet-savvy Indian travellers are venturing beyond the long-standing Bangkok-Pattaya circuit to new destinations; such as, Chiang Rai, Rayong, Trat, Hua Hin and Samut Songkhram.
Bilateral airline capacity is at an all-time high with 307 weekly flights between Thailand and 16 major cities in India by 13 airlines: Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Air India, Thai Smile, Bhutan Airlines, Druk Air, Jet Airways, Air Asia, Spice Jet, Thai Lion Air, Indigo, Nok Scoot and GoAir.
In August this year, TAT will undertake an Amazing Thailand Roadshow to secondary Indian cities; such as, Ahmedabad, Pune, Amritsar and Bhubaneswar. The roadshow to the four cities, all of which have been given international gateway status by the Indian government, is part of TAT’s strategy to tap the rich potential of India’s populous secondary cities. Thailand expect to welcome 5 million Indian visitors within the years 2023.
Currently, TAT has two offices in India (New Delhi and Mumbai) and is also expanding marketing representation and services in secondary cities like Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Pune, etc.
*Thailand Pavilion at SATTE 2019
