The Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2023 (TTM+ 2023) event with the theme "Visit Thailand Year 2023, Amazing New Chapters" organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently took place in Bangkok, Thailand.
This theme is expected to turn Thailand into a meaningful tourist destination, in which the protection of the country's natural beauty and landscapes is enhanced, promoting a series of sustainable tourism initiatives and environmental protection.
TTM+2023 introduced tourism products, services and experiences to promote Thai cultural values, enhancing the competitiveness of the country's tourism industry.
With a series of promotional programs, Thailand is expected to achieve a breakthrough in tourism this year (Photo: TAT).
Targeting independent travelers
On the sidelines of the TTM+2023 event, speaking with Dan Tri newspaper reporters, Ms. Sukanya Sirikanjanakul - Director of Southeast Asia, South Asia and South Pacific Region of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said that in 2022, the Vietnamese tourist market to Thailand will be the 6th largest, with nearly 470,000 arrivals.
From January to May this year, the number of Vietnamese tourists to Thailand was nearly 400,000. The country's tourism industry has set a target that the number of Vietnamese tourists this year will grow at least as much as last year or even higher.
Ms. Sukanya Sirikanjanakul - Regional Director of Southeast Asia, South Asia and South Pacific, Tourism Authority of Thailand (Photo: TAT).
Responding to the question of what attractive programs Thailand has for tourism this year to stimulate tourists, Ms. Sukanya Sirikanjanakul said that Thai tourism will be presented in a new way to create valuable and meaningful experiences (Meaningful Travel). She also emphasized that Thailand is expected to be a destination for reunions.
Regarding attracting Vietnamese tourists, Ms. Sukanya Sirikanjanakul said that this year, TAT - Representative Office in Ho Chi Minh City started promoting tourism activities aimed at independent travelers.
Currently, the feedback received from tourists participating in this new form of tourism is very good.
In addition, in Hanoi, TAT - Representative Office in Ho Chi Minh City also held the Amazing Thailand Festival 2023 event in Hanoi, promoting the tourism campaign "Visit Thailand Year 2023: Amazing New Chapters" through Thailand's Soft Power, promoting Thailand to always be one of the top favorite destinations for Vietnamese tourists.
"The event will have a variety of activities, providing opportunities for Vietnamese tourists to visit and experience: Traditional Thai cultural and artistic performances, trying on Thai costumes, taking photos at locations set up to simulate famous tourist destinations in Thailand, enjoying Thai cuisine, shopping for Thai products...", Ms. Sukanya Sirikanjanakul added.
Thailand moves towards sustainable tourism
In addition, the representative of the Tourism Authority of Thailand - Ms. Sukanya Sirikanjanakul said that Thailand also offers a form of tourism that is responsible to society, community, and environment, in the direction of sustainable tourism, a world-class destination.
"Soft Power of Thailand - The soft power of Thailand includes 5F: Food - Festival - Film - Fight (Muay Thai fighting art) - Fashion, attracting tourists to Thailand to search and discover the things they desire.
Thailand has everything that tourists want and is always ready to bring the best experiences," said Ms. Sukanya Sirikanjanakul.
Cuisine is one of the "soft powers" that attracts tourists to Thailand.
Sharing about the Thai tourism product and service experience tour program in the direction of sustainable tourism, Ms. Sukanya Sirikanjanakul said that analyzing tourist behavior after the Covid-19 pandemic showed that the world in general and Vietnam in particular have had significant changes.
In particular, a large number of tourists are beginning to be interested in responsible tourism or sustainable tourism, more conscious of environmental issues. They hope to participate in activities to protect and preserve the environment and the communities they visit.
In addition, tourists also have special needs for new experiences, wanting to learn and interact with the lifestyle of the communities they visit.
According to her, TAT's Reborn the Nature is a pilot tourism project, hoping to adjust communication promotion methods and tourist behavior towards sustainable tourism, contributing to responsibility for tourist destinations.
The project was piloted in Koh Tao (Turtle Island), Surat Thani province in southern Thailand. This is home to more than 60 diving schools, with beautiful ecosystems and nature both on land and under the ocean.
"TAT is piloting this project to promote and promote this form of tourism for tourists who are interested and aware of conservation issues or want a more meaningful form of tourism than a regular trip.
In addition to meeting the need for relaxation and recreation, tourists also have the opportunity to share with the destination community by contributing to minimizing the impacts of the trip, creating values and memorable memories," said Ms. Sukanya Sirikanjanakul.
In 2022, Thailand will welcome a total of 11.15 million international visitors, generating 589 billion baht in revenue, and record 189 million domestic trips, generating 641 billion baht in revenue.
In 2023, Thailand is expected to earn 2,380 billion baht in tourism revenue, of which 1,500 billion baht will be generated from the international tourist market and 880 billion baht from the domestic market.
This year, from January 1 to May 27, Thailand welcomed nearly 10.4 million international visitors, earning 428 billion baht.
