New director for Thai tourist office in Moscow
“Last year,the tourist flow from Russia reached 1 million 740 thousand arrivals, allowing
it to enter top ten travel markets for Thailand, both in terms of the number of
tourists and the money they spend in our country” said the Ambassador of
Thailand to Moscow Mr. Itti Ditbachong during a meeting with tour operators
arranged by the Tourism Authority of Thailand TAT.
The current
year, adds the Ambassador, has been marked with significant political changes;
tourism, however, was not affected. “Over the time from January to August 2014,
Thailand was visited by almost 1 million 90 thousand Russians, which is 4.8%
more compared to the same period last year. The upcoming tourist season is
going to be an easy one for neither Thai nor Russian travel sector. But
together we are hoping to overcome the difficulties” the diplomat concluded.
TAT
Governor Thawatchai Aranyik stresses out that his country expects to welcome a
ttal of 1 million 930 thousand Russians by the end of this year – 11% more than
in 2013. A new marketing plan has been approved for 2015. “We are going to
continue the Amazing Thailand campaign.
Mr. Aranyik
introduced Ms. Iumporn Jiragalwisul (see photo - in the center) as the new TAT Director in Moscow. She’s
going to come into office on October 1st.
According
to the Head of TAT Marketing Service, Mr. Konstantin Kinel, the meeting was
attended by key players on the destination: TEZ-tour, Coral Travel,
Natalie-tours, Pegas Touristik, Biblio Globus, Paks, 1001 tour, Goryaschie
Tuory (Hot Tours) and some other tour operators. “We are planning to expand the
range of companies dealing with Thailand, to attract those who might be
interested in promoting not just beach holidays but also health, spa, wedding
tours etc.” – Mr. Kinel stressed out.
“Considering
the current situation on the Russian market, it’ll be hard to catch up with the
previous years’ figures. The first quarter of this year had been marked with an
upward trend, but in April the growth started to slow doen. Autumn might become
a crucial moment. Depending on the performance we will either show some growth
or will remain on the previous years’ level,” deems Konstantin Kinel.