PROMOTING THAILAND IN THE MIDDLE EAST:
Business & Tourism Guide to Thailand
Thailand emerges as one of the most popular destinations for Middle East travellers. Excellent healthcare facilities, attractive tourist destinations and bargain shopping have made Thailand a destination of choice amongst Middle East travellers...
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| Sutisak Laohachewin executive director o Thai Trade Centre in Dubai: Promoting Thailand in the Middle East |
We worked closely with the government bodies in Thailand to publish the Business & Tourism Guide to Thailand with the aim of promoting Thailand's tourism and business interests in the Middle East. The success of the Business & Tourism Guide series prompted the Thailand authorities to join hands with us to promote Thailand in the Middle East region.
Supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Department of Export Promotion (DEP) and Thai Airways, the Business & Tourism Guide to Thailand brought in positive results – trade and tourism ties between Thailand and the Middle East registered an unprecedented growth after the launch of the publication.
"In realising the business potential that Thailand has for our Middle East market, Gateway Publishers, a major publisher in the aspects of business, trade and tourism, have published Business and Tourism Guide to Thailand, said Juthamas Siriwan, Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand. "This publication will be beneficial, as it will not only inform people in this market of the various aspects about our country, but also assist in increasing business relations between Thailand and the Middle Eastern countries. Furthermore, this guide will provide an excellent opportunity for Thai companies to promote their products and assist in our kingdom's future social and economic development," she said.
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| Juthamas Sardinian, Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand: "My best wishes to the management and staff of Gateway Publishers" |
"On behalf of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), I would like to extend my best wishes to the management and staff of Gateway Publishers and wish them success in their future endeavours in helping us to promote Thailand's place in the global business arena," wrote the Governor of Thailand Tourism Authority in her introductory note.
Tourism and trade remain strong between Thailand and the UAE, with 60,000 tourists visiting Thailand every year, according to Apichit Asatthawasi, the Thai Consul-General in Dubai.
The Business & Tourism Guide to Thailand (published in English and Arabic) featured products and services that are popular among and required by Arab visitors like availability of Halal food, mosques, spas, medical and health centres as well as ecotourism activities
Following the launch of the Business & Tourism Guide to Thailand, the country is expecting further growth in visitor arrivals from the Middle East.
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| Trade and business ties between Thailand and the Middle East are growing with every year |
However, competition for a slice of the Middle East market is getting stronger as many worldwide destinations are now angling for a piece of the rapidly growing market. “The Middle East is one of Thailand’s fastest growing source markets and we expect this to continue in the upcoming summer holiday season,” said Mrs. Phornsiri Manoharn, Deputy Governor for International Marketing, Tourism Authority of Thailand.
According to statistics recently released by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), visitors from the Middle East have the longest average length of stay and a very high average expenditure. Thailand has remained a favourite destination among Arab travellers from the Middle East and visitor arrivals from the Middle East to Thailand grew by a strong 67.2% to 75,504 in the first quarter of 2006.
Currently, there are 85 direct scheduled flights per week between Thailand and seven Middle East countries operated by nine airlines, including Thai Airways International, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air and Etihad.
Citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and UAE can get 30-day visa-free facility at Bangkok airport and major international checkpoints. In a new development, citizens of Saudi Arabia can also now get a 15-day visa on arrival.
Emirates Holidays destination development manager Asia and Australasia, Ms Davinder Kaur, said Thailand was jostling with Malaysia for the number two spot for the tour operator (the top destination for Emirates is Dubai). Last year, Emirates recorded about 27 per cent growth from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets to Thailand.
Ms Kaur said: “Malaysia pumps in money all the time to promote the country. “But this year, we’re stepping up promotions with Thailand as the TAT has been so supportive and focused. “We want to sell Thailand as a twin destination and push Hua Hin with Bangkok.
HEALTH TOURISM
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| Dr. Surapong Aumpanwong, President of Thai Private Hospitals during his recent visit to Dubai |
In an effort to further promote its health tourism sector, a special seminar on 'Health Tourism in Thailand' was presented by Dr. Surapong Aumpanwong, President of Thai Private Hospital Association in Dubai recently. This was the first time such an event had been held and gave an excellent opportunity for Middle Eastern buyers to better understand the many medical facilities now available in Thailand.
"The Business & Tourism Guide to Thailand was one of the first publications to introduce Thailand's health tourism sector among the Middle east audiences and we are extremely happy with the results," said Dr. Surapong Aumpanwong. "I congratulate the publishers on their excellent work and wish them success in their future publications," he said.
BUSINESS OUTLOOK
To further consolidate the booming trade and business ties between Thailand and the Middle East, the Thai Trade Centre in Dubai hosted a 'Thailand Exhibition' from September 10 to 12, featuring over 110 exhibitors including manufacturers, retailers, service providers and exporters.
Co-sponsored by Thai Airways International and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the exhibition highlighted four main sectors – food, healthcare, beauty and wellness, and decorative items. Sutisak Laohachewin, executive director of the Thai Trade Centre in Dubai, said the growing popularity of Thai products and services in the Middle East would be further consolidated through the exhibition.
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| Ambassador of Thailand to the UAE Suphot Dhirakaosal: This Guide will serve as another important channel to bridge and enhance relations between Thailand and the Middle East" |
“We are confident that the acceptance, usage and popularity of various Thai products and services will gain a great fillip at this event,” he said.
Commenting on the increasing trade and tourism ties between Thailand and the Middle east, Suphot Dhirakaosal, Thailand's ambassador to the United Arab Emirates said: "Thailand is ready to welcome visitors in the Middle East, a very significant and growing market for Thai tourism. I believe that Business and Tourism Guide to Thailand, published by Gateway Marketing in cooperation with Tourism Authority of Thailand, will be a vital medium for Thailand to achieve this goal. May I also express appreciation to Gateway Marketing for its collaboration in promoting business and tourism, as well as other aspects of Thailand. This Guide will serve as another important channel to bridge and enhance relations between Thailand and the Middle East," he said.
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