The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) introduced the latest tourism marketing campaign, the ‘Visit Thailand Year 2022” with a number of strategic activities to promote the reopening of the kingdom’s ‘Amazing New Chapters’ of new normal tourism at one of the world’s leading travel trade shows, the World Travel Market (WTM), from 1-3 November 2021.
This year marks the 40th year of TAT’s participation in the WTM, which is being held in the form of a live event at Excel London from 1-3 November, and a virtual event from 8-9 November.
During the WTM 2021, TAT also signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with British Airways and TUI to form a strategic partnership to promote Thailand as a preferred destination for travellers from the UK and around the world.
The “Visit Thailand Year 2022” will offer 3 ‘Amazing New Chapters’ in which the world’s travellers are welcome to experience in Thailand.
Chapter 1, or The First Chapter, will see TAT highlight tourism products and services that will awaken travellers’ five senses; such as, delicious Thai cuisine and the picturesque natural scenery that can be discovered all throughout the kingdom.
In Chapter 2, titled The One You Love, TAT will focus on specific segments like families, couples, and friends and invite them to create wonderful memories together in Thailand. Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai in particular will be promoted as popular destinations for weddings and honeymooners, with their beautiful beaches, mountain resorts, and vibrant city appeals.
Chapter 3, The Earth We Care, will highlight how nature’s chance to revitalise due to the COVID-19 situation has increased ecotourism awareness among the world’s travellers and how their behaviour has impacted the environment. The emergence of travel segments like Wilderness tourism (Escapers) and Cult-Vacation (Conscious) will also show that travellers’ behaviour has changed towards spending more time in nature and being increasingly conscious of their impact on natural resources.
In addition, other segments to highlight include gastronomy, health and wellness, as well as, workstations, which has become a growing trend when the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic will allow people to work remotely and enjoy a vacation.
From January to September 2021, Thailand welcomed a total of 85,845 visitors from overseas through various entry schemes, including the Sandbox Programme, Special Tourist Visa (STV), Thailand Privilege Card, and Medical Tourism. The Phuket Sandbox programme in particular recorded a total of 60,649 visitors from 1 July-31 October 2021, with the top five markets being the USA, Israel, UK, Germany, and France.
Meanwhile, from 1 November 2021, “Thailand Reopening” is welcoming fully vaccinated visitors from 63 countries and territories via the Exemption from Quarantine (TEST & GO) entry scheme, and from around the world under the Living in The “Blue Zone” (17 Sandbox Destinations) programme. Partially or unvaccinated visitors from many countries and territories are also much welcomed via the Happy Quarantine requirements.
This year’s various entry scheme is expected to bring at least 700,000 visitors to Thailand.
By 2022, TAT expects Thailand’s tourism to generate 1.58 trillion Baht, which includes 818 billion Baht from international tourists and 771 billion Baht from domestic tourists. The forecast is based on the base scenario and can result in different outcomes depending on the COVID-19 pandemic and global and local economic situation.
