8-8-2023 (BANGKOK) In a bid to amplify its presence on the global tourism stage and entice travellers from the United States and the Middle East, the Thai government has revealed plans to establish additional tourism offices in key overseas destinations, as unveiled by a deputy spokeswoman.
A fresh office is set to grace the landscape in the United States, while another is poised to emerge in the heart of Saudi Arabia.
Rachada Dhnadirek, the deputy spokeswoman, disclosed that the government has undergone a strategic recalibration of its tourism approach, tailored to cater to the dynamic demands of the international market. This strategic shift has been seamlessly aligned with the directives laid out by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
The proactive efforts of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) have been focused on luring long-haul globetrotters, with particular emphasis on Europe, the United States, and the Middle East. The anticipated outcome of these endeavours is a projected surge in related revenues, predicted to ascend to an impressive 1.62 trillion baht by the culmination of this year, as highlighted by Dhnadirek.
A glimpse into the statistics of the first half of the current year reveals that a total of 2,933,660 travellers hailing from European countries embarked on a journey to Thailand, alongside 620,474 American visitors and 231,206 Middle Eastern explorers, according to Dhnadirek’s account.
Per a comprehensive analysis of tourist expenditure during the initial quarter of this year, long-haul voyagers from Europe, the United States, and the Middle East emerged as frontrunners in terms of both financial contribution and duration of stay within the realm of Thailand, in comparison to their global counterparts.
The discerning European explorers demonstrated an inclination towards extended sojourns, averaging 19.40 days per trip, with a corresponding spending of 71,718 baht per person. Meanwhile, Arabian adventurers registered an average stay of 16.17 days, accompanied by an expenditure of 99,172 baht per person. American globetrotters lingered for an average of 15.26 days and expended 76,297 baht per person during their Thai escapades.
With a marked upswing in international flight frequencies spanning from April through October, the TAT has forecasted a substantial influx of 7 million long-haul visitors gracing Thailand’s shores this year, which is anticipated to infuse an impressive 60.6 billion baht into the robust tourism sector, Dhnadirek elucidated.
In an endeavour to fortify its reach and impact, the TAT will soon inaugurate a novel overseas office in Chicago, solidifying its footprint in the United States. This marks the third such office in the country, complementing the existing branches in New York and Los Angeles.
Furthermore, a strategic expansion is poised to materialize with the establishment of an additional office situated in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. This forthcoming outpost is strategically positioned to captivate and captivate Middle Eastern and Northern African tourists, as articulated by Dhnadirek.
