THE Tourism Authority of
Thailand (TAT) hopes to
grow tourism numbers
from South Africa to 120 000
in the next financial year.
Last year, tourism numbers
from South Africa grew by
10% to 102 000 visitors,
and local TAT representative,
Lesley Simpson, is confident
that this year’s target of 8%
growth can be met.
“Thailand continues to be
the number-two outbound
destination for South Africans
and, while there was a
minimal drop of 0,48% in
the first three months of the
year – mainly due to election
uncertainty – we expect
those numbers to rise in the
latter half of the year,” said
Lesley.
Director of the TAT office
in London, Chiravadee
Khunsub, told TNW on the
sidelines of Thailand Travel
Mart Plus (TTM+ 2019)
– held in Pattaya last month
– that this ambition would be
underpinned by TAT promoting
emerging destinations in the
country through its ‘Hub and
Hook’ strategy.
“Thailand offers a great
diversity of activities
throughout the whole country.
South Africans may be more
familiar with Phuket and our
islands in the south, but
there is much more to offer
across all 76 provinces,” said
Chiravadee.
The ‘Hub and Hook’
strategy is intended to entice
travellers away from just
the hubs they’re used to –
Bangkok and Phuket – and
get them to travel to one or
two other destinations that
they may not have visited
before, or considered visiting
on their first visit.
An example is Chiang
Mai, which is potentially a
new drawcard for sporting
and adventure enthusiasts;
not forgetting foodies and
cultural tourism fundis.
“Arts and craft would
be another drawcard,
and including a visit to
neighbouring Chiang Rai and
the Golden Triangle nearby,”
said Chiravadee.
Lesley added that Hua Hin
– for its beaches, and quieter
more traditional Thai culture
– could be combined with
Bangkok or even Pattaya as a
‘Hub and Hook’ destination.
She said the new ‘Shades
of Thailand’ marketing
campaign would help
showcase the various
attractions, which ranged
from community-based
tourism to hiking, nature and
adventure as well as sports
tourism and holistic wellness.
TAT deputy governor
for Tourism Products
and Business, Sujitra
Jongchansitto, acknowledged
that it may take time to build
the awareness of these
emerging destinations and
drawcards, but said TAT was
working closely with the travel
trade to create awareness of
these and other destinations.
Senior commercial manager
of Travelstart, Linda Balme,
agreed that more education
was needed, noting
that it was a “collective
responsibility” not limited
to TAT. “We as operators
and agents need to educate
ourselves so we can educate
our clients about the options
that are out there.”
Did you know?
The name given to Bangkok’s largest airport, Suvarnabhumi,
means ‘The Golden Land’.
Book it!
Thompsons is offering a seven-night special to Phuket for
R11 145 per person sharing. Rates are valid until October 31
and include seven nights’ accommodation at the three-starplus Kata Sea Breeze Resort, breakfast daily, return flights
from Johannesburg to Phuket including airline levy, return
airport-hotel transfers and a Phuket tour. T&Cs apply
Book It!
Singapore Airlines is offering a tactical special to Bangkok and
Phuket from R6 700 in economy class, R15 900 in premium
economy and R33 900 in business class. The special is valid for
travel until August 31 but tickets must be issued before July 31.
Fares are inclusive of airport taxes and surcharges. T&Cs apply
Tour operators at the mercy of high airfares
SOUTH African tour operators
share Tourism Authority of
Thailand’s (TAT) confidence
that tourism numbers can be
boosted from SA on the back
of new, emerging destinations
but some issues have to be
addressed.
“South Africans are spoilt
for choice with island
holidays, beach destinations,
romantic escapes, ultimate
luxury retreats and family
holiday destinations,” says
Thompsons Holidays
Far East product manager,
Vivienne Mellows.
She says Thailand is perfect
to fulfil all these market
segments. “Thompsons
Holidays strategically
negotiates offers to support
this.
“We are, however, at the
mercy of fare levels into
Thailand, which often result
in a shift of our bookings
into our other island
destinations.”
Vivienne believes that if
TAT could support the tour
operators’ negotiations and
have conversations with the
airlines, this would boost
numbers.
Referring to the news that
TAT is in negotiations with
Thai Airways to reintroduce
a direct flights between
South Africa and Bangkok
(see TNW July 10), product
and contracting manager
for kulula holidays, Wendy
Goutier, says while direct
flights would be first prize,
funds would also need to
be available for awareness
campaigns.
SOUTH African tour operators
share Tourism Authority of
Thailand’s (TAT) confidence
that tourism numbers can be
boosted from SA on the back
of new, emerging destinations
but some issues have to be
addressed.
“South Africans are spoilt
for choice with island
holidays, beach destinations,
romantic escapes, ultimate
luxury retreats and family
holiday destinations,” says
Thompsons Holidays
Far East product manager,
Vivienne Mellows.
She says Thailand is perfect
to fulfil all these market
segments. “Thompsons
Holidays strategically
negotiates offers to support
this.
“We are, however, at the
mercy of fare levels into
Thailand, which often result
in a shift of our bookings
into our other island
destinations.”
Vivienne believes that if
TAT could support the tour
operators’ negotiations and
have conversations with the
airlines, this would boost
numbers.
Referring to the news that
TAT is in negotiations with
Thai Airways to reintroduce
a direct flights between
South Africa and Bangkok
(see TNW July 10), product
and contracting manager
for kulula holidays, Wendy
Goutier, says while direct
flights would be first prize,
funds would also need to
be available for awareness
campaigns.
SOUTH African tour operators
share Tourism Authority of
Thailand’s (TAT) confidence
that tourism numbers can be
boosted from SA on the back
of new, emerging destinations
but some issues have to be
addressed.
“South Africans are spoilt
for choice with island
holidays, beach destinations,
romantic escapes, ultimate
luxury retreats and family
holiday destinations,” says
Thompsons Holidays
Far East product manager,
Vivienne Mellows.
She says Thailand is perfect
to fulfil all these market
segments. “Thompsons
Holidays strategically
negotiates offers to support
this.
“We are, however, at the
mercy of fare levels into
Thailand, which often result
in a shift of our bookings
into our other island
destinations.”
Vivienne believes that if
TAT could support the tour
operators’ negotiations and
have conversations with the
airlines, this would boost
numbers.
Referring to the news that
TAT is in negotiations with
Thai Airways to reintroduce
a direct flights between
South Africa and Bangkok
(see TNW July 10), product
and contracting manager
for kulula holidays, Wendy
Goutier, says while direct
flights would be first prize,
funds would also need to
be available for awareness
campaigns.
SOUTH African tour operators
share Tourism Authority of
Thailand’s (TAT) confidence
that tourism numbers can be
boosted from SA on the back
of new, emerging destinations
but some issues have to be
addressed.
“South Africans are spoilt
for choice with island
holidays, beach destinations,
romantic escapes, ultimate
luxury retreats and family
holiday destinations,” says
Thompsons Holidays
Far East product manager,
Vivienne Mellows.
She says Thailand is perfect
to fulfil all these market
segments. “Thompsons
Holidays strategically
negotiates offers to support
this.
“We are, however, at the
mercy of fare levels into
Thailand, which often result
in a shift of our bookings
into our other island
destinations.”
Vivienne believes that if
TAT could support the tour
operators’ negotiations and
have conversations with the
airlines, this would boost
numbers.
Referring to the news that
TAT is in negotiations with
Thai Airways to reintroduce
a direct flights between
South Africa and Bangkok
(see TNW July 10), product
and contracting manager
for kulula holidays, Wendy
Goutier, says while direct
flights would be first prize,
funds would also need to
be available for awareness
campaigns.
Getting there
THERE are currently no
direct flights to Bangkok –
although TNW understands
that negotiations are under
way with Thai Airways – but
there are several indirect
options.
Natasha Petrella,
product manager of
Perfect Destinations, said
Singapore Airlines was
generally the preferred
airline as it offered
the shortest flight via
Singapore (10 hours 40
minutes, Johannesburg to
Singapore) and two hours
25 minutes from Singapore
to Bangkok. “However, it
is also generally the most
expensive flight and we
often find travellers are
happy to fly via Hong Kong
(Cathay Pacific), Dubai
(Emirates) or Doha (Qatar
Airways) to save a little
extra,” she said.
Don’t miss Koh Samet
THE island of Koh Samet
– once a hidden secret of
Thai locals – is becoming
popular with international
tourists due to its proximity
to Bangkok.
Situated in the Rayong
province (just three hours’
drive from Bangkok) the
island is known for its
pristine beaches and clear
waters, which make it a
winner for water sports,
diving and snorkelling.
The island is not as overly
developed as some of
the more popular islands
and can be reached by
speedboat transfer from the
mainland. There are a variety
of transport options – from
tuk tuks to scooters and
private taxis.
STA Travel’s head of
marketing, Lize Maartens,
said she believed the island
would appeal to South
African travellers, particularly
families or single women on
a girls’ getaway.
High-speed train project gets the nod
TO FACILITATE easier access
to the country’s tourism
destinations, the Thai
government has approved
plans for a THB225bn
(R101,6bn) high-speed train
project linking two Bangkok
airports with Pattaya and the
Rayong district.
Deputy governor for Tourism
Products and Business for
Tourism Authority of Thailand,
Sujitra Jongchansitto,
announced at a TTM+ 2019
press conference that
Bangkok’s Don Mueang and
Suvarnabhumi airports and
the U-tapao International
Airport in Pattaya would be
linked by high-speed rail
within two or three years.
Muay Thai kick-starts active trips
THE rising popularity
of Muay Thai in South
Africa can be tapped into
through the creation of
packages to northern
Thailand marketed to
enthusiasts, says TAT’s
Lesley Simpson.
She says martial arts
enthusiasts could book a
trip to Bua Khao Village
and learn the art of
the sport from two-time
world champion, Buakaw
‘Sombat’ Banchamek.
“Travellers can
learn more about
Muay Thai, meet
the world champ
himself while
also relaxing and
experiencing a
more traditional
way of farm living,”
says Lesley.
She adds that another
good package option is
Muay Thai combined with
wellness, recommended
for second-time visitors
to Thailand. “In this
case, it can be packaged
with the likes of Oasis
Spa, nominated as the
Best Spa in Chiang
Mai.”
Koh Samet National Park.
Buakaw Banchamek
