“Thailand is one of the world’s most desired and dynamic tourism destinations. The country is surrounded by many of the influential travel suppliers, travel agents, technology partners and hotels.”

He said Asia-Pacific and Middle East travel communities were strongly committed to promote the country to upscale tourists and focus more on luxury markets.

Speaking at GTA’s 2016 summit on “Future Outlook of Travel and Future of Travel Intermediaries” in Bangkok yesterday, Walter told travel executives from China, Australia, India, Singapore and Hong Kong that Thailand’s tourism had risen dramatically in recent years. The country drew 29.9 million international visitors in 2015, an increase of more than 20 per cent compared with 2014.

However, the country can still increase yields and the average length of stay, as industry data showed that the average daily|rate of spending by upscale travellers grew by 17 per cent in the luxury accommodation segment last year.

TAT deputy governor Juthaporn Rerngronasa said the country had been working on niche markets and luxury tourism for years and GTA would be a new player to help draw in more of the upscale market.

GTA is part of Switzerland-based Kuoni Group. GTA attributes its success as a leading travel company for independent travellers to longevity in the industry, good financial stability, a global presence, and the expertise of its people.

The company says it has long connected travel agents to hotel partners to offer content at the best possible prices through technology. Nearly 14 million room-nights a year have been booked through GTA.

If the number of live-in trailers travelling into Thailand rises in the future, there will be measures to accommodate them including space allotment, as they require water, electricity, and garbage and sewage disposal.

Sophon Rattanasiri, the care-taking chief of the Chiang Khong Customs House, said yesterday that house trailers were registered for customs purposes as personal vehicles.

There were a few of them passing through during this Chinese New Year.

From February 1-16, 4,500 personal vehicles went through the customs house. About 0.2 per cent of them were trailers.

Many Chinese visited Thailand during the Chinese New Year and some brought their own vehicles for convenience.

Lerdchai Wangtrakoondee, director of TAT’s Chiang Rai office, said few trailers came into the province and there had not been any impact on the country’s tourism from them yet.

“A father and son drove their house trailer to Thailand from the middle of China. Both stayed at a hotel as usual. They brought bicycles to ride.

“If they were tired from travelling, they would stop and take a break at rest areas,” he said.

In Europe, it costs vacationers more to stay at a trailer park than at a hotel, given the road tax, parking-lot tax and sewage fees involved.