Thailand woos tourists from Qatar

With a 12 percent growth in tourist arrivals from Qatar to Thailand, Qatar remains one of Thailand’s most important tourism markets in the GCC, said Thai officials.
Speaking to local media on the sidelines of a road show by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in partnership with Qatar Airways held at Grand Hyatt Doha on Thursday, Thailand Ambassador Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum said Qatar was one of the two countries in the Middle East chosen by TAT for a pre-Arabian Travel Market (ATM) roadshow because “they consider Qatar as one of the most important markets in the GCC. Last year, almost 30,000 Qataris visited Thailand, which is approximately 10 percent of the Qatari population.”
The total tourist arrivals from Qatar to Thailand last year could be about 50,000 including non-Qataris living here who need visa as well as those who are not required visa to travel to Thailand, added the ambassador.
Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Europe, Africa, Middle East and Americas) highlighted the 12 percent increase in tourist arrivals from Qatar as significant growth considering the current circumstance in the region.
“Even though Qatar is not in the top three rank in terms of tourism from the GCC, we see a potential, we see growth. I think they perform very well in this (GCC) market,” he pointed out.
Petsuwan stressed TAT and Qatar Airways have a very good relationship working closely with each other and that they plan to sign an MoU at the ATM next week set to further benefit both parties. Currently Qatar Airways is the only airline which flies directly from Doha to Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi and plans to launch direct flight to Chiang Mai would open more doors to enhance tourism in other areas such as cultural and local tourism, he told local media.
Thirty-six companies representing Thailand’s hotel and hospitality sector took part in the roadshow which highlighted new value-based offer to position Thailand as a top holiday destination for Qatari locals and residents by focusing on “Unique Thai Local Experiences” offering innovative experiences and cultural activities to further discover their Amazing Story in Amazing Thailand.
Chalermsak Suranant, TAT Director for Dubai and Middle East market said, “Last year, Thailand welcomed 671,202 tourists from the Middle East, generating an income of more than $1.2b, a 15% increase compared to 2015. The top five tourism spending countries in the Middle East region are UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar. We aim to increase Middle East Tourists Revenue to 11% or 1.4b this year.”