Latest news with #PattaraanongNaChiangmai
Bangkok Post
08-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Short-haul bookings remain weak
Airlines report forward bookings for short-haul markets for the remainder of this year are weak, in contrast to the long-haul segment, while some carriers expressed interest in joining the Tourism Authority of Thailand's (TAT) stimulus campaign. Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, deputy governor of international marketing for Asia and South Pacific at TAT, said tourism in the second half is still marred by several challenges. Forward bookings for flights across all short-haul markets between June and December have been reduced year-on-year, according to Forwardkeys, an air traffic data company. Asia and South Pacific were down by 22% year-on-year to 849,034 seats, while Southeast Asia, South Asia and Oceania decreased by 16% to 303,325 seats. The East Asia market contracted by 25% to 528,480 seats, including a 40% nosedive on Chinese routes to 109,676 seats. During the first six months, Thailand welcomed 16.6 million foreign tourists, of which 11.1 million were short-haul visitors, far below the target of 28.2 million in 2025. However, long-haul markets gained strong momentum, with 5.5 million arrivals in the first half, said Chiravadee Khunsub, deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas at TAT. She said Thailand is on track to secure 10.7 million long-haul tourists as expected this year. Mrs Chiravadee said forward bookings from these markets in the third quarter tallied 713,491 seats, increasing from 677,211 seats in the corresponding period last year. Passengers from Europe, the Americas and Africa are expected to increase year-on-year. However, passengers from the Middle East are set to contract by 9% to 97,246 seats, due to geopolitical conflicts. Ms Pattaraanong said the TAT will soon launch a 750-million-baht subsidy for airlines and tour operators called "Summer Blast China & Overseas Market" aiming to attract over 790,000 visitors in one year. Nuntaporn Komonsittivate, head of commercial at Thai Lion Air, said the airline is interested in participating in the joint-promotion programme for commercial flights. She said there is room to increase foreign passengers in its existing flights to boost tourism, whether from Indonesia, India or China, with Thailand experiencing a sharp decline since the beginning of the year. At present, Thai Lion Air's Chinese flights secured about 60-70% load factor. Anlee Do, general manager of Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines and the Mekong Region at Lufthansa Group, said the airline may need to study the TAT's proposal first before deciding to join. At present, the group is committed to daily operations across its three airlines -- Lufthansa, Swiss and Austrian Airlines -- to Thailand this summer.
Barnama
23-04-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Thailand Taps Luxury Cruise Market With Stardream's US$50 Million Star Voyager Launch
By Kenny Teng BANGKOK, April 23 (Bernama) -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced its collaboration with StarDream Cruises to elevate Thailand's profile in the global cruise tourism through the launch of the Star Voyager on Tuesday. For the first time, the Star Voyager – a newly refurbished luxury cruise ship with a capacity of approximately 1,940 guests – will operate with Thailand as its home port. bootstrap slideshow TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing - Asia and the South Pacific, Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, described the launch as a milestone for Thai tourism. "The launch of the Star Voyager marks a significant step in our efforts to strengthen Thailand's tourism and maritime sectors, in line with national policy and the objectives of the Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025. "This achievement reflects the dedication of our teams and partners who have worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life," she said in a statement published on the TAT News website on Wednesday. She added that the debut of the Star Voyager also signifies the revitalisation of the StarCruises brand and reinforces Thailand's role as a key cruise hub in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, the President of StarDream Cruises, Michael Goh, expressed his excitement about homeporting the Star Voyager in Bangkok as the group reintroduces the revitalised StarCruises brand in Thailand. "This launch represents a significant step forward in our vision to position Thailand as a cruise hub in Southeast Asia. With this regional deployment, we aim to attract a diverse range of travellers while supporting the country's growing tourism economy," he said.
