National—
On May 21st, 2024, Mr. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, the Deputy Governor for International Marketing in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, requested the Thai government’s financial support to promote tourism markets with mutually beneficial alliances.
Although the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) only received a small portion of government financial support, the TAT joined forces with various alliances and partners to promote remote marketing, especially with international and domestic airlines, said Siripakorn.
The TAT supported international and domestic flights to primary and secondary cities in Thailand. However, the Thai government should approve a higher portion of financial support in order to create more promotions with airline partners, remarked Siripakorn.
In winter, Thailand would enter a high season with a gradual recovery of airlines as some new airlines are reportedly approved to operate.
Moreover, the TAT would find possible ways to support airline operators to make their way to Thailand’s aviation hubs via inter-indicators, said Siripakorn.
Between April 2nd to 5th, 2024, with cooperation between public and private sectors, more than 20 airline representatives foresaw the potential in Thailand aviation and new routes at a meeting. It was reported that by the end of the year with Thailand entering a high season, four airlines are interested in exploring new aviation routes and flights, totaling 200,000 seats available, said Siripakorn.
Expanding flights to Thailand was in accordance with the Thai government strategy on airline focus that connects Thailand airports to other international airports such: Istanbul-Bangkok, United Arab Emirates-Bangkok, charter flights, and more. Furthermore, new international routes are now available from Middle Eastern airlines, Air Arabia, Air Canada, and more, said Siripakorn.
Siripakorn further added that in 2024, the TAT sought to generate tourism revenues from foreign and Thai tourists totaling three trillion baht. However, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin set a goal of 3.5 trillion baht from tourism revenues.
“It is possible to generate over 3.5 trillion baht if the government approves financial support for the TAT,” asserted Siripakorn.
