More Thais expected to travel abroad this quarter
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Six million Thais are expected to travel abroad this year, with a year-on-year increase of 10 per cent forecast for the current quarter, thanks to cheaper packages and attractive air fares.
“This year, the outbound sector is outstanding compared to the inbound and domestic sectors,” Suparerk Soorangura, president of the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) – the outbound body – said yesterday.
Outbound business for the entire year is expected grow by about 5 per cent, while the final quarter alone should be 10 per cent higher than the same period last year, he said.
Inbound arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport, meanwhile, dropped 19 per cent during the first nine months, but is expected to rebound slightly during the current quarter.
The TTAA predicts that the number of Thais going abroad will increase from 5.7 million last year to 6 million this year.
Key factors behind the growth are the fact that tough competition has forced tour operators to lower their package prices by more than 5 per cent, while airlines have offered more attractive fares to boost sales during both the low-period third quarter and the current high season, said Suparerk.
Moreover, some countries have adjusted their visa regulations, such as Japan, which now offers a visa exemption for Thai tourists, he added.
Foreign national tourism organisations in Thailand have also upped their marketing efforts in an effort to attract more Thai visitors, while many locals flocked to the “Thai International Travel Fair” held in Bangkok last month and purchased attractive overseas packages on offer at the event.
Suparerk said outbound business should continue to expand next year if the government holds a general election and approves major investment plans for the country’s infrastructure system.
Anake Srichevachart, president of the Thai-Japan Travel Business Association, said Japan had become the most popular destination for Thai tourists.
Last year, about 400,000 Thais visited the country, and the number is expected to reach 600,000 this year.
Thailand is the fourth biggest source of tourists for Japan, following mainland China, South Korea and Taiwan.
