Package rates slashed in bid to boost outbound tourism in low season

Suparerk Soorangura, president of the Thai Travel Agents Association, said operators would offer special deals for overseas strips to Thai tourists at the “Thai International Travel Fair”, which is being held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre until Sunday.

He said that among the highlights were half-price packages to Europe, mainland China and Nepal.

A six- or seven-day package to Europe will range between Bt40,000 and Bt50,000 per person, down from Bt70,000-Bt80,000 in other periods.

However, the length of travel under this particular promotion has been cut from eight to 12 days to six or seven days, while site visits have also been reduced, from multi-country visits to just one or two countries, he added.

“Some big airlines, particularly from the Middle East, are launching attractive promotions to boost tourist numbers from Thailand during the low season,” Suparerk said.

For mainland China, he said the recent devaluation of the yuan would help attract more Thais to the country, although it might only have a relatively short-term effect if the Chinese currency later appreciated.

 

Japan popular

Aside from Europe and China, Japan is expected to remain the most popular destination for Thai tourists, as it is endorsing a visa exemption for Thais, said the association chief.

Ittirit Kinglake, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said the Kingdom should gain more business from the weakening of the yuan, as operators were now able to offer customers greater discounts. However, outbound travel to China may face difficulty due to higher costs, resulting from the strength of the baht, he warned.

“Airlines and tour operators in China should create more packages for Thailand to their customers over the next few months, and not wait until the high season,” Ittirit said.

Meanwhile, Nepal is also expected to attract Thai tourists, as travel operators and authorities are putting efforts into restoring the country’s economy and tourism after this year’s devastating earthquake.

Packages to Nepal at the Thai International Travel Fair are priced at Bt20,000 per person, half the normal Bt40,000. Suparerk said the fair was not only aimed at promoting outbound tourism through new tour programmes, but also at promoting the domestic market.

“Operators are also targeting group travel, students and the incentives market in the current low season,” he said.

The fair is expected to attract more than 300,000 visitors and generate spending in the region of Bt400 million.

Suparerk added that outbound business in the coming high season might not be as bright as hoped because of the volatility of major currencies and the continued economic downturn in many countries.