Latest news with #EconomicsTourismandSportsDivision
Bangkok Post
09-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Thailand urged to woo more Muslim tourists
As Chinese tourist arrivals plunge, the Thai Muslim Trade Association (TMTA) is calling on authorities and the private sector to position Thailand as a Muslim-friendly destination to attract travellers from the global Muslim population. Tourism remains a key driver of Thailand's economy, and China was the top source market for visitors over the past few years. For the first six months of this year, Thailand recorded 16.7 million foreign arrivals, a 4.66% year-on-year dip, with Chinese visitors declining by 34% to 2.26 million, according to the Economics Tourism and Sports Division, Tourism and Sports Ministry. With the Chinese market shrinking, Thailand should strengthen its efforts to attract Muslim travellers, who are often high spenders and tend to travel in family groups, said Marut Mekloy, president of the TMTA. He said there is significant growth potential in products and services catering to Muslim consumers, driven by the rising global Muslim population, which now exceeds 2 billion and continues to expand. Mr Marut said Thailand has five key sectors with high potential for this market: food and beverages, tourism, medicine, cosmetics, and fashion. However, Thailand is not yet a truly Muslim-friendly destination. Prior to the pandemic, Thailand ranked among the top three non-OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) destinations for Muslim travellers. The country has since lost that position due to its inability to meet the needs of Muslim tourists. He cited Japan, where both public and private sectors have taken measures to accommodate Muslim travellers such as providing signs highlighting the availability of halal products and by including halal options on regular menus. In some cases, ingredients are slightly adjusted to exclude non-halal items such as mirin and alcohol-based ingredients. The association plans to launch the Global Muslim-Friendly Hospitality Index, a certification system for hospitality operators that incorporate Muslim-friendly criteria, and it had held discussions about this initiative with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said Mr Marut. Certified hotels would not need separate halal kitchens, but should be able to direct guests to nearby halal dining options. Rooms should also include a qibla indicator to show the direction of prayer. Higher certification levels will translate to stricter requirements, he said. "If the project gains recognition among both hospitality providers and Muslim travellers worldwide, it could significantly boost Thailand's tourism," said Mr Marut. He said with government backing and promotion among hospitality operators, there will be more development of more Muslim-friendly products and services.
Bangkok Post
09-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Association urges sector to woo Muslim market
As Chinese tourist arrivals plunge, the Thai Muslim Trade Association (TMTA) is calling on authorities and the private sector to position Thailand as a Muslim-friendly destination to attract travellers from the global Muslim population. Tourism remains a key driver of Thailand's economy, and China was the top source market for visitors over the past few years. For the first six months of this year, Thailand recorded 16.7 million foreign arrivals, a 4.66% year-on-year dip, with Chinese visitors declining by 34% to 2.26 million, according to the Economics Tourism and Sports Division, Tourism and Sports Ministry. With the Chinese market shrinking, Thailand should strengthen its efforts to attract Muslim travellers, who are often high spenders and tend to travel in family groups, said Marut Mekloy, president of the TMTA. He said there is significant growth potential in products and services catering to Muslim consumers, driven by the rising global Muslim population, which now exceeds 2 billion and continues to expand. Mr Marut said Thailand has five key sectors with high potential for this market: food and beverages, tourism, medicine, cosmetics, and fashion. However, Thailand is not yet a truly Muslim-friendly destination. Prior to the pandemic, Thailand ranked among the top three non-OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) destinations for Muslim travellers. The country has since lost that position due to its inability to meet the needs of Muslim tourists. He cited Japan, where both public and private sectors have taken measures to accommodate Muslim travellers such as providing signs highlighting the availability of halal products and by including halal options on regular menus. In some cases, ingredients are slightly adjusted to exclude non-halal items such as mirin and alcohol-based ingredients. The association plans to launch the Global Muslim-Friendly Hospitality Index, a certification system for hospitality operators that incorporate Muslim-friendly criteria, and it had held discussions about this initiative with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said Mr Marut. Certified hotels would not need separate halal kitchens, but should be able to direct guests to nearby halal dining options. Rooms should also include a qibla indicator to show the direction of prayer. Higher certification levels will translate to stricter requirements, he said. "If the project gains recognition among both hospitality providers and Muslim travellers worldwide, it could significantly boost Thailand's tourism," said Mr Marut. He said with government backing and promotion among hospitality operators, there will be more development of more Muslim-friendly products and services.
Bangkok Post
02-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Digilink preps tech treat for tourists
While Chinese tourist arrivals to Thailand have dipped greatly due to safety concerns, Digilink Thailand, a digital marketing firm, is urging the government to quickly rebuild trust by ensuring safe travel experiences, fair pricing, and improved tourist facilities. Phanavika Limpabandhu, chief executive of Digilink Thailand, said Chinese tourists are still taking trips abroad, with Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam being the most appealing destinations. Thailand is losing its status as a top destination, she said. Some Chinese nationals are concerned about safety in Thailand, partly due to the abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing to Myanmar in January this year, which caused anxiety among potential visitors. Moreover, comments on social media platforms suggest some Thais do not welcome Chinese tourists, which could discourage them from travelling here, said Ms Phanavika. She said cases of overcharging by taxis and restaurants had negatively impacted the travel experience for Chinese tourists. From Jan 1 to June 22, Thailand recorded 16 million foreign tourist arrivals, a 4.2% year-on-year drop, according to the Economics Tourism and Sports Division of the Tourism and Sports Ministry. The data showed Malaysia has overtaken China as the leading source of foreign tourist arrivals to Thailand. Winning back these tourists would be challenging, said Ms Phanavika. However, she believes Thailand still has great potential in the tourism sector, but urgent action is required to attract high-spending and free-independent travellers from China. Thailand offers several advantages, including its proximity to China and a rich gastronomy, which continue to attract Chinese tourists seeking to experience authentic Thai cuisine. To regain tourism momentum, she urged the tourism sector to prioritise safety and improve the overall visitor experience. This includes addressing issues such as taxi overcharging and enhancing the basic infrastructure at tourist sites. Priorities that need to be tackled include ensuring there are sufficient public restrooms, accessible travel information, and cleanliness at tourist destinations, said Ms Phanavika. Digilink Thailand is launching "Wéi! TaiGuo", a WeChat mini programme, to enhance the experience of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand. The platform offers service bookings, on-site mobile payments, and e-commerce options. Digilink aims to support Thai small and medium-sized enterprises by connecting them with Chinese consumers. The platform will be launched to Chinese users within July. The company has also partnered with Meituan-Dianping to introduce the "Must-Eat List" in Thailand. The annual ranking features 500 restaurants across 23 cities, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Hat Yai. Digilink plans to unveil "Tai Hao Le Chi Ba", a new logo meant to "guarantee" tastiness, curated by Thai food experts based on taste and quality.
