Tourism Authority of Thailand Dubai and Middle East office organises familiarisation trip for 26 Iranian travel agents

Tuesday 05 January 2016

Dubai - MENA Herald: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Dubai and Middle East office in cooperation with Royal Thai Embassy Tehran and Mahan Air, will hold a familiarization trip for 26 travel agents from Tehran and four social media influencers based in Iran from January 4-12, 2016. The group will be divided into two groups: Group 1 will have a pre-tour in Pattaya from 4-9 January, while Group 2 will have a post tour in Pattaya from 6-12 January. On January 8, TAT will organize a special table top session wherein Iran agents will have a chance to meet more than 50 Thai private companies from hotels, recreation and theme parks to travel agencies. The event will be held at Landmark Ballroom, The Landmark Bangkok and will be attended by TAT Deputy Governor Juthaporn Rerngronasa.

Mr. Chalermsak Suranant, Director, TAT Dubai and Middle East said, “Iran market is one of the most dynamic market in our region. Iranian tourist in Thailand shows an incredible development over the last year. Based on recent survey conducted, Thailand still leads on top ten for Iranian outbound travellers in terms of facilities such as hotel accommodations, theme & leisure parks, dining, shopping and general entertainment - a clear manifestation that Thailand is still on the top of travel list of Iranians”

Additionally, TAT aims to focus on promoting Thailand as a Muslim friendly destination to Iran market with highlights on luxury, family and couples activities.  From January – November 2015, the number of tourist arrivals from Iran reached 81,404, a dramatic increase of almost 30% from the same period last year.

Recently, The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has rolled out a number of strategic activities to promote the good image of the Thailand as a top tourist destination at one of the most important travel trade events in Europe, the World Travel Market (WTM). During the event, TAT launched the new Amazing Thailand logo, which incorporates the attraction and appeal of the most famous characteristic of Thailand – The Smile.

Mr. Suranant commented: “One of Thailand’s most important events this year at WTM was the launch of the new “Amazing Thailand” logo, which features the famous Thai Smile. Thailand is also known as the Land of Smiles, and the new logo builds on that in order to strengthen the bonds of friendship, fun and happiness.” The letter ‘A’ in the word ‘Thailand’ has been re-designed to look like a pair of smiling eyes, which, when accompanied with the ‘Smile’ symbol, perfectly form a person’s smiling face. The colour schemes have also been specifically chosen to underpin the image of softness.”

Thailand remains a popular destination to many Arab travelers as it is named as one of the Top 10 Muslim friendly tourism destination in the world by Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2015. The recent hosting of first ever Thailand Halal Assembly in Bangkok further strengthen Thailand’s position to cater to Muslim travelers by providing Arabic speaking staffs, halal food options, prayer facilities in the airport and Muslim-friendly hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions throughout the country.

Mr. Suranant said, Middle Eastern market including Iran has remained an important source market for us with an increase in total number of arrival by 33.74% during first quarter 2015. The Discover Thainess Campaign 2015 with highlights on Muslim-Friendly tours and activities is an attempt to attract first time and repeat visitors to explore Thailand’s new destinations including Thailand’s 12 hidden gems cities namely: Lampang, Phetchabun, Nan, Buriram, Loei, Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi, Trat, Chanthaburi, Trang, Chumphon and Nakhon Si Thammarat, and to discover Thainess; Thai way of life through people and culture.”

Accessibility to Thailand continues to grow from Middle East region with Qatar Airways boosted flights to Bangkok to four times a day as of December 2014 and Etihad Airways recently added a fourth daily service from Abu Dhabi to Bangkok from 1st July 2015 as well.

We have seen a huge amount of tourists coming to Thailand every March during Iranian New Year or ‘Norooz’ and continuously increasing year after year.” Mr. Suranant added

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