During this week, the TAT Dubai Office and the Europe, Africa and Middle East Market Division organised a road show to Tehran and Isfahan, Iran during 13 - 15 January to provide “as it happens” information with fast facts for travel agents and members of the media about the current political situation in Thailand. A familiarisation trip to Phuket and Phang-Nga is set to be held from 19 to 24 January, 2014.
The office also announced the launch of the new Amazing Thailand: It Begins with the People advertising campaign during its other road show to Manama, Bahrain on 14 January. It also revealed the plan to organise more marketing activities in the market during this year including a pre-ATM (Arabian Travel Market) 2014 road show, a Thai Food Festival and joint promotions with Gulf Air.
According to Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, Governor of TAT said, “TAT marketing activities in the Middle East for 2014 will remain largely unchanged. During both recent road shows, travel agents and members of the media seemed to understand the current political situation in Thailand, but hoped that it would not be prolonged.”
The TAT Governor added, “In addition, we are informing the market that Bangkok remains a welcoming tourist destination with most major tourist attractions and activities open and operating normally. But should our industry partners raise concerns that the current demonstrations would compromise their clients’ travel schedules in Bangkok, we would then suggest a tour programme to other Thai destinations like Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai.”
Meanwhile, the TAT Dubai Office also reported no cancellations or frequency reduction of flights between cities in the Middle East and Thailand, according to its survey conducted with major airlines in the market. It added that during this week (14 - 19 January, 2014), most airlines have reported that their flights to Thailand would be operated at an average load factor of around 90 per cent.
From the Middle East, Gulf Air operates a daily flight between Bahrain and Bangkok. Qatar Airways is operating four daily services on Doha-Bangkok and a daily flight on Doha-Kuala Lumpur-Phuket. Emirates Airlines operates six daily flights on Dubai-Bangkok and a daily service on Dubai-Phuket. Thai Airways International also operates flights to cities in the Middle East, including Dubai.
For more information, contact:
TAT Dubai
Tel: (97 1) 4325 0184-5
Fax: (97 1) 4325 0187
E-mail: [email protected]
International Public Relations Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
1600 New Petchaburi Road, Makkasan, Ratchathevi
Bangkok 10400
Thailand
Tel: 66 (0) 2250 5500 ext.4545-4548
Fax: 66 (0) 2253 7419
Email: [email protected]
For the latest updates, please visit
www.TATnews.org