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The Department of Tourism (DoT) under Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports is planning to promote Thailand as a tourist-friendly destination for visitors from Muslim-majority countries.
To implement this plan, the Department of Tourism (DoT) has held discussions with the private sector in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, and most recently Phuket to find ways to attract high-spending tourists from the Middle East.
According to Athuek Phrasenmoon, head of the Tourism Development Department at the Department of Tourism (DoT), Muslim tourists are currently the primary target group for the global tourism industry because they are the fastest-growing market with significant spending power.
Muslim tourists are currently the primary target group for the global tourism industry, as this is the fastest-growing market with significant spending power.
Mr. Athuek stated that among the 11.8 million international tourists who visited Thailand last year, more than 400,000 came from the Middle East, a 65% increase compared to the same period in 2019. Total spending by this group of tourists also increased by 71% compared to 2019.
The Department of Tourism (DoT) emphasized its desire for a robust plan to attract more Muslim tourists to Thailand, while also preparing local authorities and those working in the service and hospitality industries to better understand the culture, behavior, and specific needs of Muslim tourists, such as their preference for halal food.
As a result of discussions between the DoT and the aforementioned localities, it was found that Muslim tourists prefer Muslim-friendly destinations such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Krabi.
They also prefer hotels and restaurants that offer halal food and other facilities that cater to their needs, such as prayer rooms.
Mr. Athuek also stated that through discussions, the private sector wants the DoT to promote tourism activities related to the Islamic calendar, such as launching attractive campaigns after Ramadan, the most important holy month of Islam.
According to the MasterCard-Crescent Rankings' 2022 Global Muslim Travel Index, Thailand ranks fourth among non-Muslim countries favored by Muslim tourists, after Malaysia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
