A Message from our Thailand office:
Greetings from Bangkok, Thailand!
There’s lots of good news to report from January, so let’s jump right into it.
First of all, I’m delighted to announce that Panorama Destination Thailand has received a STAR Award in tourism sustainability from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). We’re committed to developing products and services with an emphasis on environmentally friendly travel, so this award is a very satisfying recognition of our progress in this area. You can read more about the STAR Awards, here.
Secondly, there’s been plenty of newsworthy developments in the Asian region recently. Thailand and China have signed a reciprocal visa-waiver agreement that is expected to boost tourism between the two countries after it takes effect on 1 March 2024. The official name of the deal is the “Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Mutual Visa Exemption for Holders of Ordinary Passports and Passports for Public Affairs.”
Under the terms of the new agreement, holders of valid Chinese passports will be exempted from visa requirements for entering, exiting or transiting Thailand for a period of up to 30 days. Cumulative stays must not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period, except for the purposes of residing or engaging in employment, study, media activities or other activities that require prior official approval. The new rules are expected to bring in around 8 million more Chinese arrivals to Thailand this year – which is great news for the tourism industry!
In other great news for tourism in Thailand and its connectivity to the wider region, The State Railway of Thailand has announced plans to extend its Bangkok-Nong Khai train route to Vientiane in Laos. Scheduled to begin operations in April, the new train route will make it easier for travellers in Thailand to experience the so-called ‘golden triangle’. Departing from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, the new services will be called Bangkok-Vientiane (Khamsavath).
We’re now in the wintertime in Thailand, when popular destinations are found mostly in the northern part of the country. Here, visitors enjoy cool weather activities like camping, trekking and visiting villages. This is also a good time for beaches, when there is no rain on the Andaman side. Our top products this month are Chiang Mai Winter and the Doi Inthanon Trek – these two packages offer a fantastic mix of culture, nature and outdoor exploration for visitors to enjoy. We currently have visitors from all around the world experiencing these great tours.
It may only be February, but 2024 already looks like being a very successful year for Thailand. The country is focusing more on sustainable tourism, and there are many new green destinations being developed and promoted. Panorama Destination Thailand has committed to making this destination more sustainable, by developing responsible and carbon-neutral products. Please contact us for details and design your dream package with us.
Pat Pattaranan Sappattarabune
General Manager, Panorama Destination Thailand.
Destination digest: Thailand news in brief
A selection of bitesize stories and positive developments making the news in the Land of Smiles recently:
High hopes for Thai tourism in 2024
Industry leaders are expressing optimism for 2024. Indications that support the positive forecast were recently revealed at the Thailand Tourism Forum 2024 (TTF 2024), the respected annual forum focusing on the tourism/hospitality industry. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is also optimistic about this year, announcing its 2024 target revenue of 3.5 trillion baht – 2.5 trillion from international tourists, and 1 trillion from domestic travellers. Among its plans to achieve this ambitious target are enhancing quality over quantity, promoting sustainable practices and boosting tourism in ‘Muang Rong’ (secondary cities).
(source: Thai PBS World)
Thailand welcomes 3.17 million foreign arrivals in January
Thailand’s Tourism Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakitkoson (last) week revealed that numbers so far in 2024 are encouraging. The kingdom is on target to welcome 3.17 million visitors for the month of January. Significantly, there was a rise in Chinese arrivals although a similar pattern was seen in 2023. The kingdom is targeting 33.5 million arrivals for the year, up from 28 million seen in 2023.
(source: Thai Examiner)
TAT holds Amazing Thailand event in Indonesia
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) rolled out the red carpet for the Amazing Thailand Product Update 2024 in Jakarta and Bandung. Aiming to strengthen ties between Thai and Indonesian tourism, this event was more than just a gathering; it was a powerhouse of collaboration. Drawing a crowd of approximately 100 Indonesian tourism wizards in each bustling city, the week-long spectacle unfolded as a nexus of business negotiations and Thai tourism revelations. The Thai entourage, comprising 20 businesses spanning hotels, airlines, and hospitals, zeroed in on pivotal sectors such as health and wellness, sports, and responsible tourism.
(source: Thaiger)
TAT looks to tap Spanish and ASEAN markets
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has been busy in the past week reinforcing Thailand’s status as a top global destination at both the Feria Internacional de Turismo (FITUR) 2024 in Madrid, Spain and the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2024 in Vientiane, Laos.
(source: The Phuket News)
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