A Message from our Thailand office:
Hello from Bangkok, Thailand!
The summer may be coming to an end, but inbound travel to Thailand is just warming up! We currently have a number of groups from the Netherlands and Poland, FITs from the UK and USA, and a Group Combi tour from Malta that will explore Thailand and Vietnam. As September begins, we have loads of good news to report from the Land of Smiles.
This month, Suvarnabhumi Airport will see the opening of the new SAT-1 satellite passenger terminal. Speaking to the Bangkok Post recently, president of Airports of Thailand (AoT) Kerati Kijmanawat confirmed the terminal will handle an additional 15 million passengers per year, which will double the airport’s annual passenger handling capacity to 60 million.
There are plenty of celebrations scheduled to take place this month, including the Tenth Lunar Month Festival, Ko Lae Boat Racing, Long-boat Racing, the Cross-Region Travel Fair, and a host of marathons/half marathons. With a great mix of arts, crafts and sports to look forward to, it all adds up to September being another eventful month in Thailand.
For the Panorama Destination Thailand team, there are some interesting events to look forward to as well. Today (1 September) we will head to the Sukosol Hotel in Bangkok, where a delegation of Tabletop Sellers (hotels) will meet with buyers (DMCs). We’re excited to catch up with some existing partners, and to expand our network with new collaborations too.
In September, we’re highlighting a pair of new destinations that we think Panorama Destination clients will really enjoy. Located within easy reach of Bangkok, Nakorn Pathom and Samui Sakorn both offer something special, and are a little off the usual beaten track. For Instagrammers in search of adventure, Wat Sampran in Nakorn Pathom and the Railway Market in Samut Sakorn are an absolute must.
Back in Bangkok, we’ve been busy with training recently, as part of our ongoing mission to raise standards and expand our knowledge. Our latest capacity building exercises have focused on guide training, driver training and child safe awareness for all staff and guides.
Thailand is entering its rainy season at the moment, but visitors can still enjoy the beautiful cities, green mountains and white sandy beaches, along with some fun and colourful festivals. With many delicious fruits coming into season, now is a great time to sample that famous local cuisine. If your clients are looking for a taste of Thailand, book your tour with Panorama Destination and they’re sure to be satisfied.
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:
Thailand Expects 30 Million International Visitors This Year
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) estimates that the number of visitors will be between 28 and 30 million. This year, Thailand has already surpassed last year’s number of visitors, with 15 million so far. The increase in visitors from China has played a significant role in boosting the tourism sector. The TAT predicts that visitors from Europe and the Americas will increase from October onward.
(source: TBN)
New Prime Minister Makes Official Visit to Phuket
Thailand’s new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited the resort island of Phuket on Friday (25/9), a first official trip to underline plans to shore-up economic recovery by bolstering tourism, a key driver of growth. Thailand’s economy expanded 1.8% year-on-year in the April-June period and 0.2% on the quarter, slowing sharply from the previous three months as its key exports sector slumped on weak global demand. The state planning agency has since cut its growth projection to a 2.5% to 3.0% range from 2.7% to 3.7%.
(source: USNEWS)
New Study Highlights Responsible Community-based Tourism in Thailand
Dr. Scott Michael Smith recently unveiled his latest research, From Concept to Practice: Implementing Sustainable Tourism Development at Anurak Community Lodge in Thailand. This pioneering research explores the integration of responsible tourism practices into the business model of Anurak Community Lodge, situated in the rainforests of southern Thailand. It was published in the summer edition of the highly respected Journal of Environmental Tourism and Management. The journal is listed in Scopus, the world’s largest academic abstract and citation database.
(source: Pattaya Mail)
Phuket Aims to be Low-carbon Eco-tourism Destination
The island province of Phuket, southern Thailand, is seeking to become a low-carbon destination, with future development plans focusing on waste management and lowering greenhouse emissions to promote eco-tourism. According to Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew, provincial authorities recently held discussions with public and environmental agencies on food waste management and agreed to establish a systematic plan that integrates all sides to ensure maximum sustainability.
(source: Vietnam Plus)
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