Thailand Becomes the Best Destination for Indian Tourists: Tourism Income of over THB37 billion Expected for 2012 (Current Issue No. 2286 Full Ed.)

The Eurozone economic crisis is affecting European tourists in Thailand and causing a deceleration in some markets. In Asia, India becomes promising short-haul tourist source, as well as a key target for the tourism businesses of many countries, including Thailand. Currently, the number of Indian travelers visiting Thailand continues to rise.

To offset falling income from European tourists, we should focus on expanding high-end Indian tourists or other niche markets, i.e., MICE^[1], wedding service, as well as tour packages for shoppers, golfers and filmmakers whose average expenses are normally double that of general tourists (spending an average of over THB30,000 per trip).

The quality of ceremonial and reception preparations, plus the performance of wedding organizer teams are keys to enhance travelers' awareness and upgrade our standard, in terms of prices, wedding service and post-wedding/honeymoon services along with safety. Thus, staff skills should be developed to support expansion of this type of tourism in Thailand. To increase awareness toward Thailand's tourist attractions and tourism-related products, efficient dissemination channels, e.g., guidebooks to promote Thai tourism with Indian tourists, should target teenagers and working-age people that represent 50 percent of the Indian population.

Due to the many travel activities by Indian tourists, earnest and continuous collaboration between the government and private sectors toward promoting Thai tourism with Indian tourists, plus efforts to maintain our existing market shares and a focus on high-end tourists, are needed. KResearch expects that the number of Indian tourists visiting Thailand in 2012 should reach 1.07 million arrivals, rising 20 percent, thus generating tourism income of over THB37 billion, growing 21.9 percent YoY.