Thailand eyes one million visitors from India in 2012

THE NUMBER of visitor arrivals from India, one of Thailand's fastest-growing markets, is expected to reach the one million mark next year, as the target eyed for this year is expected to be affected by the  flooding situation.

Cancellations of incentive and group bookings and about 11 incoming flights by Kingfisher Airlines during the floods are expected to cause a shortfall of 100,000 arrivals from the target, said Sansern Ngaorungsi, deputy governor international marketing for Asia and the South Pacific of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

He said the country would be receiving some 900,000 visitors from India this year, and provided that the market rebounded by the second quarter of next year, the number should be able to reach one million.

In a bid to further grow the market, TAT has adjusted its strategy aimed at different segments from northern and southern India. Its New Delhi office will ramp up online tools in targeting FITs and families, while the Mumbai office will continue to focus on weddings, incentives and golfers.

From January to October, Thailand recorded 784,950 visitors from India, up 29.75 per cent over the same period last year. Last year, the country received 760,371 arrivals from India, up 23.72 per cent year-on-year.

Source - ttgasia