THE Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced that, despite a year of various challenges, the country has remained a favourite holiday and business destination for many residents in the Middle East, going from strength to strength with an overall increase in visitor numbers from the region expected to reach as high as 20 per cent on 2009.
Additionally, in order to ensure the popularity of Thailand continues well into 2011, a consumer competition as well as a unique competition for travel agents has been launched offering the opportunity to learn more about the destination and win bi-monthly prizes of complimentary holiday packages to the ‘Land of Smiles’ from now until August.
Tourist numbers from the Middle East to Thailand continue their upward trend, with the latest statistics showing a 67 per cent increase in September 2010 compared to September 2009. While the final quarter statistics are yet to be confirmed, TAT is extremely confident that an overall tally of visitors from the region in 2010 will surpass 20 per cent when compared to the 371,368 visitors received in 2009. For the first nine months of 2010, the total number of visitors from the Middle East was 392,294 already greater than for the whole of 2009.
To further increase the number of visitors from the TAT has launched both a consumer competition contest and a unique competition for travel agents, which is considered to be an industry first for the Middle East.
The consumer competition – the Amazing Thailand Travel - Short Story Contest – was launched on January 1 and invites entrants to write a short story based on a representative image of Thailand. Entry is open to all residents of the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Iran, and can be written in Arabic or English. The competition will be held four times throughout 2011, with each winner receiving a five day / four night holiday package to Thailand.
In order to encourage the continuous education and research of Thailand as a holiday destination by the region’s travel agents and provide them with the tools to better advise clients seeking a unique Thailand holiday experience, a Best Itinerary Contest was also launched on January 1 inviting travel agent graduates from the Amazing Thailand Academy to submit their ideal Thailand itinerary based on a given theme. The competition will be held 4 times throughout 2011 based on four distinct desginated themes announced at the start of each competition round. Additionally, itineraries will be judged on their ability to incorporate and consider such criteria as; the inclusion of new attractions, authenticity, travelling time and efficiency, relaxation, budget and the Seven Wonders of Thailand – Thainess, treasures, beaches, nature, trends, wellness and festivities.
The winning travel agent for each theme will get the chance to live their dream itinerary with a complimentary holiday package for two adults to Thailand, along with the winner’s name, picture, agency logo and itinerary posted on the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s dedicated Middle East website.