TAT forecasts record level of arrivals from India
The agency also reported that several airlines are planning to join the 750-million-baht flight stimulus programme that will soon be launched.
Patsee Permvongsenee, executive director of the Asean, South Asia and South Pacific region at TAT, said Thailand remains a favourite destination for Indian tourists as it takes only 4-5 hours to reach the country by air, while the visa-free scheme is also convenient for planning their trips.
As of July 13, 1.26 million Indian tourists had visited Thailand, becoming the third largest inbound market following Malaysia and China, which recorded 2.45 million and 2.43 million arrivals, respectively.
Mrs Patsee said the potential segments include young millennials, wedding groups and business groups travelling via incentive programmes.
Under the stimulus scheme initiated by the Thai government, there is a 150-million-baht subsidy for incentive groups, which should help boost the number of Indian tourists nationwide, on top of a similar plan implemented by the TAT's New Delhi and Mumbai offices, she said.
Siriges-a-nong Trirattanasongpol, director of TAT's New Delhi office, said although the crash of an Air India flight bound for London last month had hampered Indian travel sentiment, prompting passengers to delay their trips with the airline, many are still maintaining their plan to visit Thailand during this low season.
Mrs Siriges-a-nong said the joint-promotion scheme between the TAT and Air India that was supposed to be launched last month has been temporarily suspended, but the agency continues to work with other airlines to promote Thailand.
She said the Indian government has offered more slots for foreign carriers to operate flights to Indian cities compared to previous years.
The office is also monitoring the readiness of the new Noida International Airport, which should be completed this year, to seek new opportunities for flight expansion.
Korakot Chatasingh, chief commercial officer of Thai Airways, said the Indian market could help offset the Chinese market at present.
He said a lot of Indians also use Thai Airways to transit to other Southeast Asian destinations, such as Indonesia.
The airline currently serves eight cities in India, including 22 flights per week to Delhi and 11 flights per week to Mumbai.
It is now conducting a feasibility study for opening flights to Noida International Airport, which could attract Thai and Southeast Asian tourists due to its close proximity to the famous Taj Mahal.
According to the TAT, several airlines are willing to apply for the subsidy programme, which aims to add 500,000 inbound tourist arrivals by providing support of 500 baht per passenger.
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