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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021704

Switzerland woos more Thai tourists in winter

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 03, 2022

The best time to visit Switzerland is from June to August, but most Thai tourists travel to the country in April. This year marks the beginning of Switzerland Tourism’s campaign to attract more Thai vacationers to the Alpine nation in winter.

“Switzerland is not only for ski freaks,” said Batiste Pilet, director for Southeast Asia at Switzerland Tourism, in a media briefing for Switzerland’s season travelling campaigns, adding that travellers can enjoy the natural spots and “civilization of the country” on the same day.

Switzerland has long been a popular tourist destination for visitors from Southeast Asia due to the country’s abundance of jaw-dropping natural attractions, pleasant year-round temperature, picturesque landscapes, and must-see destinations like the Alps and Rhone.

Thai travellers are the largest number of visitors from Southeast Asia to the Alpine nation.

But during wintertime, Thai travellers are well behind Singapore, Malaysia, and others in the region because those countries usually enjoy extended Christmas breaks. But going by Thailand’s holiday season, April and May are the most popular months for Thai tourists to travel overseas.

In April, the number of Thai travellers account for one-fourth of the total number of 200,000 Thai visitors who fly directly to Switzerland in an entire year (not including Thais entering the country from neighbouring countries.)

Switzerland Tourism expects the number of tourists will fully recover to 200,000 or higher in 2023, said Martin Nydegger, CEO of Switzerland Tourism, on his visit to Thailand to promote the country’s winter campaign.

In 2022, the country started “Swiss Winter Camp Asia”, a skiing competition to draw more attention from Asia-Pacific tourists. But due to the travel restrictions earlier this year, the turn-out of participants from Thailand and elsewhere was lower than expected.

In 2023, the competition will resume from March 19-23 in Thailand in cooperation with the Ski and Snowboard Association of Thailand. The authority expects to attract more than 100 participants from all over Asia for the four-day programme.

“Swisstainable” is another strategy the country has launched to win over more tourists by positioning itself as the world’s most sustainable travel destination. The sustainability strategy focuses on getting people to have greater environmental awareness while using the resources responsibly.

“It’s not just a cool name. No one could copy that, and it’s not a marketing gag. The dilemma of people in the tourism industry is that tourism means mobility. You move people from A to B and most of the time by airplane and car,” said Martin.

The strategy, developed by the Lucerne University for Applied Sciences and Arts in partnership with Switzerland Tourism and travel agencies, originally aims to improve transparency for guests about activities and products in the field of sustainability. It will support the commitment of service providers towards a comprehensive sustainable development of Swiss tourism.

Related News

‘Water rugby’ makes a splash in Lake Geneva

Tourism tax: How does Thailand compare with other countries?

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021692

Tourism sector wants Prayut to raise Covid travel exemption for Chinese tourists with Xi

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 03, 2022

The Thai tourism sector on Thursday called on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to personally request Chinese President Xi Jinping to ease Covid travel restriction so that Chinese tourists could return to Thailand.

Sitthiwat Chiwaratanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), said Prayut should raise the issue directly with Xi when the Chinese president attends the Apec Summit on November 18-19.

“I would like Prayut to request the Chinese president about relaxing the rules for Chinese tourists to return to Thailand,” Sitthiwat said.

“But it would be require the art of negotiation because China is still enforcing its zero-Covid policy. If we ask them to allow tourists to visit us and if they reply “No”, we’ll be in a difficult situation. So, what we should tell them is that Thailand is waiting for Chinese tourists all the time.”

Meanwhile, Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said so far the chance was slim for Chinese tourists to return to the kingdom because the Chinese government was enforcing the zero-Covid policy.

But, Phiphat said Prayut might hold talks on the sidelines of the summit on the tourism issue.

“We expect that during a meeting with Xi, we’ll ask the Chinese government to ease restrictions for certain provinces so that the Chines tourists could return to Thailand,” Phiphat said.

“I would like to urge the prime minister to raise this issue with Xi and I expect a positive result.”

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has predicted that if China reopens its country before the Chinese New Year early next year, Thailand will see about 30 million foreign arrivals next year. Without the Chinese, the number of foreign arrivals will be around 18 million.

Meanwhile, TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said a total of 7.613 million foreign tourists had visited Thailand from January 1 to October 31 this year.

He said the top five countries whose citizens visited Thailand during the period were:

Malaysia: 1,290,863 arrivals

India: 682,911 arrivals

Laos: 559,383 arrivals

Cambodia: 387,250 arrivals

Singapore: 377,282 arrivals.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021680

Meta Thailand helps travellers experience various cultures via augmented reality

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 03, 2022

Tech giant Meta Thailand has teamed up with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to transport Thais virtually to various tourist destinations using augmented reality (AR) technology.

Nine AR platforms by five Thai developers and creators under Meta’s “Rediscover Thailand” campaign are helping travellers experience the nation’s different cultures.

Visitors are able to experience culture from the North’s Bo Sang Umbrella Village to the South’s Menora performance via online interactive experiences.

The objective is to enhance tourism and economic recovery using creativity as Meta is determined to help businesses and local communities with digital tools, the company said.

Its platform can “reconnect people” and open opportunities for trading and tourism, the firm added.

According to Meta, 10.3 million Thais have shared posts and commented about tourism 38 million times on Facebook and Instagram in the past 90 days alone.

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the Covid-19 pandemic has affected tourists’ behaviour, so technological innovations are becoming important, especially virtual travel, which allows people to visit several tourist destinations without any limitations.

“The cooperation between TAT and Meta shows TAT is focusing on creating value and improving the tourism industry as it creates a fresh tourism ecosystem using new technologies,” Yuthasak said.

“This is aimed at developing Thai tourism and making it sustainable, as well as stimulating travel demand and creating a meaningful experience,” he added.

The campaign is on until November 30 (except Mondays) from 10.30am to 7pm at Bangkok’s Thailand Creative & Design Centre.

Related stories

• TAT eyes Malaysia, India and other Asian markets as China affirms zero-Covid policy
• Chiang Mai beckons with dazzling Loy Krathong celebrations
• TAT is simultaneously organising workshops for the “Super Host” project, NEW CHAPTERS, nationwide

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021656

TAT eyes Malaysia, India and other Asian markets as China affirms zero-Covid policy

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2022

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will shift its focus to short-haul markets to try to achieve its target of 18 million foreign arrivals next year.

Thanet Phetsuwan, TAT’s deputy governor of marketing for Asia and South Pacific, said the TAT will especially focus on the tourism markets of Malaysia and India and other Asian markets after it has become certain that China would maintain its strict Covid travel restrictions.

Thanet said after Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed the zero-Covid policy at the general assembly of the Communist Party of China in the middle of the October, the TAT had to adjust its strategy by not waiting for Chinese tourists.

Thanet said the TAT made a base case scenario prediction of 18 million foreign arrivals for 2023 based on the current rate of Chinese arrivals. Currently, only students and businessmen are allowed to travel out of China.

But if China reopens its country fully, the TAT expects next year’s foreign arrivals to jump to 39 million, Thanet added.

As a result, the two key factors for Thailand’s tourism recovery next year are whether China would reopen its country and whether Europe would extricate itself from the oil price crisis that has made air tickets expensive for long-haul travellers, Thanet explained.

He said Thailand cared a lot for the China’s tourism market because in 2019, Chinese tourists constituted 30 per cent of foreign arrivals, the biggest group of foreign tourists in Thailand.

In that year, 11 million Chinese tourists visited the kingdom and generated some 500 billion to 600 billion baht revenue.

“If the Chinese government reopens the country before the Chinese New Year, our future will be fully bright,” Thanet said.

But he said the TAT could not sit idly waiting for Chinese tourists as Thailand has cordial friends like Malaysia and India.

Thanet noted that Malaysian tourists top the list of foreign tourists visiting Thailand with 1.3 million arrivals so far this year. The TAT expects the number of tourists from Malaysia to reach 1.9 million this year, compared to 4.4 million in 2019.

He said India is also another hope of Thailand. This year, some 680,000 Indian tourists have arrived and their number was projected to rise to one million by the year-end.

The TAT has also set hopes on tourists from Laos, Cambodia and Singapore for next year while waiting for Chinese tourists, Thanet added.

This year has seen 556,597 Laotian tourists, 385,144 Cambodian tourists and 374,997 Singapore tourists visiting Thailand, Thanet said.

He said 18 TAT offices in Asia-Pacific nations have been assigned to help draw tourists from the countries they are based in to achieve at least 13 million, or 72 per cent of the targeted 18 million foreign arrivals.

Thanet added that the 18 TAT Asia-Pacific offices were assigned to achieve the target of at least 597.72 billion baht, or 62 per cent of tourism revenue of 971.79 billion baht next year.

Meanwhile, Chuwit Sirivejkul, director of the TAT’s East Asia region, said tour companies in China are now making preparations to launch packages for bringing tourists to Thailand once China reopens the country.

He said Ctrip, the largest online tour company of China, is now launching a pre-sale campaign on January 1 and the bought packages could be kept for two years.

On January 11, Ctrip CEO will have a live session on TikTok and Weibo to sell packages to Thailand for three hours, Chuwit added.

Related stories:

TAT creates new strategy to promote Thailand as ‘sustainable’ destination

TAT is simultaneously organising workshops for the “Super Host” project

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021649

Chiang Mai beckons with dazzling Loy Krathong celebrations

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2022

Chiang Mai is all decked out and adorned, living up to its reputation of hosting the grand Yi Peng Lantern Festival, with all the province’s popular tourist spots being decorated with colourful bulbs and lanterns of all hues and sizes.

The Nation visited some key tourist destinations and found all the props and settings for the famous Loy Krathong festival, also called the Yi Peng Lantern Festival by people of ancient Lanna culture, are ready to welcome tourists and revellers.

For example, Klong Mae Kha, a new tourist attraction in Tambon Hai Ya of Muang district, has been decorated with Lanna lanterns in myriad colours.

The organisers have also installed giant krathong, or floats, in the middle of the canal, which is lit up at night with multicoloured lanterns and flashy bulbs, already drawing both Thai and foreign tourists to take selfies and click photos.

Several temples have been decorated with lights and Lanna lanterns at the gates and on walls.

The festival will start on Sunday, ahead of the official Loy Krathong night on Tuesday.

It typically involves releasing lanterns into the air, an ancient celebration adapted from Brahmin origins and inextricably linked with Thai Lanna culture.

In the evening, all the five ancient gates of Muang Chiang Mai will come alive with vibrant, colourful lights. The four corners and three major bridges of ancient Chiang Mai town will also be adorned with lights.

Traditional and religious rites will be held in the morning from Monday to Wednesday, November 9. For example, rites will be held for worshipping the city shrine, while another ceremony will be held to “apologise” to the Mae Ping River at the Sri Khong Pier.

The nighttime celebrations will involve several activities, including a competition of large, hanging lanterns and pageants featuring a Yi Peng beauty queen and handsome king.

Another rite will be held at the pier in front of Muang Chiang Mai Municipality to release a line of floating lanterns over the Ping River with a sound and light show.

On Tuesday November 8, official Loy Krathong Day, there will be a grand preaching rite at Wat Sri Don Chai. A parade of Lanna lanterns will also be held from Tha Pae gate to the heart of Chiang Mai city.

On Wednesday, a luk thung or Thai country-style music contest will fill the atmosphere at Chiang Mai municipality. There will be a contest and parade of large krathong floats as well.

So what are you waiting for? Pack your holiday bags and head North for a swell time!

by Wasant Panyaruan

Chiang Mai

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021646

TAT is simultaneously organising workshops for the “Super Host” project, NEW CHAPTERS, nationwide

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2022

More than 2,500 participants are headed for next normal tourism, preparing to welcome high-season visitors to Thailand.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is organizing “Super Host ” NEW CHAPTERS training workshops on November 1-2, 2022 in 5 regions nationwide. The opening ceremonies were held on November 1, 2022 at Berkeley Hotel Pratunam, Bangkok. The event will be honored by Mr Phiphat Ratchakijprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports, who will preside over the opening ceremony for the training workshops, along with Mr Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mr Apichai Chatchalermkit, Deputy Governor for Tourism Products and Business of Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Miss Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Deputy Governor for Domestic Marketing of Tourism Authority of Thailand, who will welcome participants and broadcast live streams to event venues in 4 other regions in order to prepare the tourism industry and local communities for NEXT NORMAL tourism.

Mr Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, disclosed that the event’s main objective is to prepare the tourism industry, including public and private sector agencies, and local communities, as well as those involved in the tourism industry, and to increase knowledge, understanding and the ability to be “Super Hosts”, ready to support tourists during the forthcoming high season and adapt to the changing global and tourism situation.  To create meaningful travel experiences for tourists while simultaneously enhancing the Thai tourism industry and propelling it towards high value and sustainability, TAT is organizing the “Super Host ” NEW CHAPTERS workshops in 5 regions nationwide for 2 days and 1 night between November 1-2, 2022.

At the “Super Host ” NEW CHAPTERS  workshops, TAT will focus on shaping the supply chain by inviting expert speakers to educate and update regarding key tourism trends in the NEXT NORMAL era, as well as organizing up-skill workshops centered around new digital marketing skills to develop Thai tourism personnel in recognizing the importance of developing tourism potential, particularly in terms of raising awareness about the role and importance of being a Super Host  and triggering consciousness about maintaining tourist attractions along with caring for tourists. These are vital areas which are likely to lead to a successful recovery and reflect the highest level of preparation in order to become Super Hosts. The NEW CHAPTERS to Tourism NEXT NORMAL with Sustainability event is being held in five regions nationwide: at The Berkeley Hotel, Pratunam, Bangkok, in the central region; at The Heritage Hotel Chiang Rai Hotel & Convention, Chiang Rai Province, in the northern region; at Alvarez Hotel, Rayong Province, in the eastern region, at Golden City Hotel, Buriram Province, in the northeastern region and at The Twin Lotus Hotel, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, in the southern region.

Participants in the events are required to be personnel or entrepreneurs in the tourism industry, government officials involved in the provision of tourist services, as well as tourism and service-related agencies from all over the country, with 500 individuals per region, totaling 2,500 participants. This event will be key in helping develop and promote the image of Thai tourism and  ensuring the highest level of preparation for a tourism industry which is rapidly returning to normal, and it should be instrumental in creating increased income and further economic growth within the country.

Aside from the “Super Host ” NEW CHAPTERS project, TAT continues to organize activities to promote tourism in Thailand, as well as reinforcing the “Amazing Thailand Trip” campaign with projects such as AMAZING THAILAND WORLD MOUNTAIN & TRAIL RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2021, AMAZING THAILAND MARATHON BANGKOK 2022, WATERCOLOR EVENT, Loy Krathong Expo 2022 and “Vivid Chao Phraya” illumination event to welcome APEC leaders, as well as the Amazing Thailand Countdown 2023.

These activities are staged under the project “365 Days of Wonder Thailand, Travel Every Day”, which aims to accelerate the recovery of Thai tourism and achieve 80% of the numbers achieved in 2019 by the year 2023, and they are driven by the vision, “TAT is the driver of Thai tourism strategy to create valuable experiences towards sustainability,” in accordance with the TAT Corporate Plan 2023-2027.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021637

Chiang Mai introduces host of travel campaigns to draw visitors for high season

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2022

The northern chapter of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched its “Northern Charm of the Past” tourism campaign, targeting working people, multi-generation families and active seniors who can explore the North and reminiscence about the charm of authentic Lanna culture.

TAT executive director for the North, Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, said on Tuesday several activities and campaigns have been planned to attract tourists this high season from November to March, as Thais tend to visit Northern provinces to experience the cold weather.

An example of these activities are the “North X Clusive” campaign that showcases craftmanship products of local communities, the “North Experience Festival” that helps you explore ancient temples and pay respect to sacred beings for good luck, the “Riverside Eatery” campaign that features local cuisine and Michelin Guide restaurants, and the “Amazing Northern Road Trip” that offers sightseeing trips for motorists, cyclists or trail joggers.

Suladda Sarutilavan, director of TAT’s Chiang Mai office, said as of October the overall tourism industry in Chiang Mai had expanded 2.8 per cent year on year thanks to the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions earlier this year.

She expects the industry to expand by 3.5 per cent in 2023, with the number of visitors increasing 52 per cent year on year, as the overall economy continues to recover and airlines restore more routes that were suspended due to the pandemic.

Suladda said six airlines are currently operating 11 domestic routes to Chiang Mai, while seven airlines are operating 10 international routes to the province.

“In 2023 Chiang Mai will be targeting millennial families, Gen Y and multi-generation families with campaigns that promote modern tourism trends such as the “Road to Chiang Mai” eco-tourism campaign and the “Chiang Mai Workation Staycation” that focuses on weekday trips for the generation who can work from anywhere and schedule their own vacation,” she added.

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Chiang Mai unveils latest watery tourist attraction – Klong Me Kha

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021607

Loy Krathong to be celebrated in Bangkok for four nights at 10 major piers

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 01, 2022

The Bangkok River Festival 2022 or Loy Krathong Festival will be held from Saturday night to Tuesday night at 10 major piers in the capital, including those connecting important Buddhist temples.

The event was announced by Culture Minister Itthiphol Kunplome at the Siriphakdee Dharma Building inside the compound of Wat Prayun Wongsawat Worawihan on Friday.

Bangkok River Festival 2022 is being organised in cooperation with the ministry, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Thai Beverage Co Ltd and other private partners. The organising committee was chaired by Suraphon Svetasreni.

Suraphon told the press conference that the festival would be held at the following 10 piers that have historical significance:

– The pier of Wat Pho or Wat Phra Chetuphon

– Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn

– Wat Prayun

– Wat Kalayanamit Woramahawihan

– Wat Rakhang Kositaram Woramahawihan

– The Maharaj Pier

– Asiatique the Riverfront

– The Lhong 1919 pier

– Sooksiam @ Icon Siam pier

– The Guan Yu Shrine pier at Khlong San.

According to the organisers, the five temples will remain open late at night for tourists to pay their respects to Buddha images. All the five temples are official temples under the patronage of the Royal Family. The festival will offer a good chance to tourists to get blessings from the Buddha at such important temples, the organisers explained.

The organisers said several activities would be held at the festival venues, depending on the sites.

The five temples will also organise prayer and meditation sessions. There will also be street food stalls and sales of well-known products of communities near the venues.

There will be free speed boat shuttle services at the 10 piers as well.

The event is being held from 5pm to 10pm on Saturday and Sunday and from 5pm to midnight on Tuesday, November 8, which is the official Loy Krathong night of this year.

Related stories:

Total lunar eclipse to grace Loy Krathong festival in Thailand

Bangkok governor promises to keep partygoers safe on Halloween, Loy Krathong

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021595

‘Floating Railway’ trips to Pa Sak Jolasid dam start on November 5

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 01, 2022

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will operate special holiday trains from Bangkok to Pa Sak Jolasid Dam in Lopburi from Saturday. Bookings open today.

The trip across the dam, known as the “Floating Railway”, treats passengers to magnificent lake views amid the cool breezes of cold season. The round-trip excursions will run on Saturdays and Sundays from November 5 until January.

The trips start on November 5 and 6 and run every weekend, except the New Year holiday, until January 28 and 29 – a total of 24 days.

Trains will leave Hua Lamphong station at 6am and arrive at Pa Sak Jolasid Dam station at 10.35am. The return train will depart the dam at 3.30pm, arriving at Hua Lamphong station at 6.50pm.

The stops along the route are Samsen, Bang Sue Grand Station, Bang Khen, Lak Si, Don Mueang, Rangsit, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Kaeng Khoi, Kaeng Sua Ten.

The train will then stop at the dam station’s “Floating Railway’’ viewpoint for 20 minutes, allowing passengers to admire the view and snap photos, before taking them to Khok Salung station to shop for OTOP products.

A round-trip ticket costs 330 baht for a non-air-conditioned seat and 560 baht for an air-conditioned seat.

Tickets can be booked from today at any train station or via the D-Ticket mobile application. For more information, contact the SRT call centre at 1690 or visit SRT’s Facebook page.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021563

Russian tourists touch down in Phuket on first direct flight

MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2022

Direct flights from Russia to Phuket resumed on Sunday, boosting tourist arrivals on the southern holiday island.

Ikar Airlines flight EO3477 from Russia’s Sheremetyevo Airport (Moscow) touched down at Phuket International Airport at around 1.30pm with 449 passengers on board.

The Russian tourists were given a special welcome by airport staff led by staff administrative officer Pongsak Srimai.

Russian flag carrier Aeroflot also resumed its direct, nine-hour flight from Moscow to Phuket on Sunday.

Three Russian airlines have scheduled direct flights to Phuket to serve demand in Russia during the upcoming high season.

Aeroflot will operate daily flights between Moscow (Sheremetyevo Airport) and Phuket from October 30 to March 25.

Ikar Airlines will fly on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from the same airport from October 30 to March 25.

Siberia Airlines will fly between Irkutsk International Airport and Phuket on Thursdays from November 3 to March 23. It will also operate Monday flights between Vladivostok and Phuket from November 7 to March 20, and flights from Russia’s third-largest city, Novosibirsk, from November 3 to March 23 next year.

Phuket Airport expects to see about 30,000 arrivals per day in November.