SPECIAL FEATURE
Erawan Shrine
WHAT THE AGENTS THOUGHT
Alexander Whitley- Wilson, dive travel consultant, Blue O Two
Krittaphon Chantalitanon
Thai reintroduces second daily flight from Heathrow
Thailand’s national carrier, Thai Airways, has responded to the steady growth of the UK market to Thailand with the reintroduction of a second daily flight from Heathrow to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi. The flight, which resumed on Sunday, takes the airline’s daily capacity from Heathrow to 855. Thai Airways suspended its daily night flight between the two airports at the start of July when it introduced the route’s only direct daily A380 service. The new flight has been 83% sold over the past three months.
Speaking in Bangkok,
Thai Airways vice-president Krittaphon Chantalitanon said: “The A380 is doing extremely well and the demand kept surging, so we decided to bring the second flight back.” The carrier said the impact of the Bangkok bombing on its European flights had been “negligible”, but routes from markets such as China, Japan and Hong Kong had suffered a 15% drop in bookings in the immediate aftermath.
Tourism authority eyes 1.3% growth in 2016
Thailand is looking to achieve slow but consistent growth from the UK next year. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said it was targeting “quality visitors” as it aimed to increase the number of UK arrivals by 1.35% in 2016 to 902,000. “We expect tourism to Thailand
to continue to grow, but very slowly,” said Chris Lee, UK and Ireland head of marketing. “What’s more important to
us is how much money people are spending on the ground in Thailand, how long they are staying and whereabouts. “It’s important to ensure that
we encourage people to visit the whole country.” TAT is also focusing on
promoting southeast Asia as a
Chris Lee
region, in part as a response to the launch of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) – the equivalent of the European Union – in November 2016. Lee said: “Countries such as
Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia don’t have tourist boards in the UK. “We take the view that
promoting combination holidays with our neighbours is an important part of our own strategy. “With the AEC, this cooperation
will continue to grow.” Lee said Thailand’s performance in the UK market had “got better and better” this year, which he attributed partly to an increase in the number of families travelling to the country – one of TAT’s focuses over the past two years.
“Being in the niche dive-travel sector, it was great to meet other agents and learn about the wider industry. Of course, my knowledge of Thailand increased 10-fold. The places we visited will work perfectly as extensions to the liveaboard that we offer out of Phuket.”
Guy Welsh- Donaldson, international travel consultant, Flight Centre
“I feel as if I can sell Thailand better now and provide more information about excursions. I didn’t realise there was so much to do. What I love is that Thailand has everything – cities, jungles and beaches.”
Christo Knowles, destination expert, Gold Medal “I’ll be
recommending Chiang Mai as more of a destination in itself than I might have done previously. It felt safe and friendly. Thailand is very family-orientated.”
Linda Welch, travel consultant, World Travellers “Once you’ve
acclimatised, Thailand seeps into your soul. I feel as if I’ve been enlightened. I would point honeymooners in the direction of Thailand.”
29 October 2015
travelweekly.co.uk 35
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