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Thailand goes up with solid steps

03:18, 4 февраля 2013

Summing up the results of 2012, tour operators working with Thailand agreed that the destination turned out to be one of the most successful in recent years. Natural disasters passed the country by and there were no revolutionary activities. This was a good ground for a constant demand from Russia. According to the players of the market, the demand increased by 20-30% compared to 2011.

 

This number almost coincides with that of the Thailand Tourist Office in Russia. According to the statistics of the representative office, 1.3 million our compatriots visited the Country of Smiles in 2012, which is by 25% more than last year. At the same time, the overall inbound tourist flow to Thailand amounted to 22.3 million. Consequently, every 17th tourist in Thailand turned out to be a Russian citizen (in 2011 it was every 20th tourist). December turned out to be the most popular for visiting: there were about 205 thousand arrivals from Russia - 37% more than in December 2011. In the nearest future, Thailand’s government expects Russia to become one of the three key source markets in Thailand. Now, our country is on the fourth place, standing down to China, Japan and Malaysia.

 

General Director of the Pegas Touristik Mrs. Anna Podgornaya says an average increase in sales is 30%, if compared to 2011. “Traditionally, South-East Asia is growing thanks to Siberian regions. However, recently, citizens of central Russia got interested in local resorts, which made it possible to expand our charter programs from Moscow”, noted Mrs. Podgornaya. Meanwhile, according to the expert, Thailand still can’t be called the leader among winter beach destinations. Despite the disorders, a significant number of tourists went to Egypt this season. Mainly it happened due to low prices.

 

“The catastrophic flood in Thailand influenced the results of 2011 quite badly. Against this backdrop, the sales of 2012 seemed much better”, the Deputy Director of Solvex-Travel Mrs. Ekaterina Ayzerman recalled the two-year old events. At the same time, according to her, there is a qualitative change in the depth of sales, which already reach the end of March. Tours for this period have been being booked since December.

 

There were no difficulties with the New Year sales. There were almost no last-minute travel offers and the most popular hotels were booked in advance at average prices. “One can note that the interest for Thailand is not jading, as the Russians actively explore the country. For their vacation, they choose not only Pattaya and Phuket, but Koh Samui, Samet and Phi Phi as well. Besides, there is some interest for tailor-made itineraries – excursion tours, spa-hotels, wedding ceremonies at Thai resorts”, noted Ms. Ayzerman.

 

According to the Head of PR-service of TUI Company Mrs. Natalya Novikova, this winter Thai destination’s prices favorably differ from those of the previous year; positively influencing the demand of the after-flood period. “Thailand has pleased us. Sales for the New Year and Christmas periods were better than we expected”, she noted, stressing that most of the tours were bought in advance – in October-November 2012. Mrs. Novikova estimates the annual increment to be not more than 20%. A constant demand, according to her, led to high rates of sales and an excellent margin of tours. The representative of TUI also added that even in January the demand remains enviable. As for now, the tours are being booked till April.

 

It shall be noted that the Chinese New Year (February 10), usually the most unprofitable period, didn’t cause any concerns this year. According to Anna Podgornaya, the demand for these dates beat the Russian New Year. At the same time, most tourists booked Thai’s most popular hotels for the holidays in advance.

 

The Deputy Director on Tourism of Vand International Tour Company Mrs. Evgenia Khohlova agrees that the demand for Thailand is growing, but the situation doesn’t seem that optimistic to her: “Despite the fact that the market players were very careful in 2012 (as the memories of the previous season are still quite fresh) and didn’t inflate the amounts, it’s still rather difficult to make money on the destination – tours are sold with a rather small margin”.

 

Besides, the experts point out the increase in the number of FITs. According to the operators, this was caused by the collapse in confidence after a series of travel agencies’ bankruptcies.

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