Thai travellers happy to ‘go solo’ when travelling abroad: study

By The Nation 

 

FILE photo

 

Over a quarter of Thais (28 per cent) have traveled overseas “solo” in the past two years, ahead of the global (24 per cent) and Asia-Pacific (23 per cent) averages, according to Visa’s Global Travel Intentions Study.

 

The Study examined international travel trends and the behaviour of 17,500 global travellers from 27 countries including Thailand.

The study found those most likely to travel solo were the youngest group of travellers (18-24 years old) at 45 per cent, and those combining business and leisure travel or “bleasure” travellers at 37 per cent.

 

Travellers aged between 25 and 35 years old and affluent travellers round out the group most likely to travel solo at a 28-per-cent likelihood each. On the contrary, travellers aged 36-44 years old are the most likely to travel with other people throughout the entire trip at 71 per cent.

 

Suripong Tantiyanon, country manager for Visa Thailand said: “It is exciting to see how technology and tourism have become intertwined resulting in more Thai travellers taking ‘solo’ trips abroad.

 

“The development of technology allows travellers the ability to take trip planning and booking into their own hands,” he continued. In addition, payment technologies and innovations offer greater convenience, security and confidence to spend during their time abroad.

 

Larger groups are common when people travel with companions. Typically, a group consists of up to five people, on average.

 

Those travelling with others are most likely to be accompanied by their spouses or partners (49 per cent) or friends and colleagues (42 per cent). Travellers aged 45 years old and above or “superboomers” (72 per cent) are more likely to travel with their family and friends throughout the whole trip.

 

When it comes to travel activities, travellers from Thailand differ from their Asia-Pacific counterparts. The top three activities for Thai travellers are tours and attractions (71 per cent), food and dining (69 per cent) and shopping (68 per cent). On the other hand, top activities for overall Asia-Pacific travellers are food and dining (73 per cent), shopping (69 per cent) and tours and attractions (64 per cent).

 

Visiting cultural locales (52 per cent) are top among the key activities enjoyed by Thai travellers, followed by visits to theme parks and attractions (34 per cent) and religious monuments (29 per cent).

 

For food and dining, Thai travellers opt for eating at local casual and small restaurants (39 per cent) and tasting the street food (30 per cent).

 

Shopping for Thai travellers is all about venues that carry a range of brands and products, at duty-free shopping in destination airports (34 per cent) and large and medium retailers (33 per cent), and small retailers (30 per cent).

 

“We are privileged to be sharing these key findings about Thai travellers’ trends and behaviour,” concluded Suripong. “We hope that by sharing these insights, tourism operators and the broader industry can leverage this data for the sustainable development of tourism in Thailand.” 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Tourism/30359524

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-11-30

How many billions does thailand loose because these travellers don't stay in thailand?

Good to see, I hope they learn something, like, Planet Thailand is NOT the centre of the universe!

When you go “solo” it gives one a better opportunity to meet more people and see/ do what you want instead of following a tour guide’s agenda which will waste half your time visiting places to sell you “handicrafts.

Solo = 1 so why use a 'file' photo of 3 

They are happy to go abroad? Seems like things are in order to change. Looks like more immigration fines and regulations that can change at a whim are needed in order to help make them a little more miserable. That way there can be a reciprocal response to how most foreigners are treated by immigration in Thailand. 

Edited November 30, 20187 yr by vinegarbase

This whole story is nonsense. Thais loves to travel in smaller groups , and not alone. They love to eat together, and do stuff together.

Only reason for them to go solo out of Thailand is to meet other Thais abroad.  

 

 

 

This whole story is nonsense. Thais loves to travel in smaller groups , and not alone. They love to eat together, and do stuff together.
Only reason for them to go solo out of Thailand is to meet other Thais abroad.  
 
 
 

And probably statistically wrong as well.
I guess the numbers were closely together and comparing it with the world average doesn't make much sense either.
Personally, I travel a lot alone in many different countries and stay mostly in hostels. Seriously I just met one single Thai traveller and that was in Kuala Lumpur. Other than that at least 2 or a bigger group.
Several reasons that we all know, Thais can't do many things alone...

You don't take mom when you are going to meet a romantic interest now do you?  I think the numbers are accurate and the travelers are hooking up with someone.  They are Thai after all. 

7 hours ago, fruitman said:

How many billions does thailand loose because these travellers don't stay in thailand?

The somtam sellers must lose a lot of business, with so many Thais travelling abroad... 

2 hours ago, balo said:

This whole story is nonsense. Thais loves to travel in smaller groups , and not alone. They love to eat together, and do stuff together.

Only reason for them to go solo out of Thailand is to meet other Thais abroad.  

 

 

 

I am in a position, that I talk to middle-class Thai teenagers about such things every day, and I can say that you're 100% spot on!

2 hours ago, CLW said:

And probably statistically wrong as well.
I guess the numbers were closely together and comparing it with the world average doesn't make much sense either.
Personally, I travel a lot alone in many different countries and stay mostly in hostels. Seriously I just met one single Thai traveller and that was in Kuala Lumpur. Other than that at least 2 or a bigger group.
Several reasons that we all know, Thais can't do many things alone...

Never met a Thai travelling alone abroad, but, on the other hand, many travellers from other SE Asian countries who travelled alone to/in Thailand.

Edited November 30, 20187 yr by StayinThailand2much

I think that if they leave solo they are meeting a significant other/customer at the other end.

2 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Never met a Thai travelling alone abroad, but, on the other hand, many travellers from other SE Asian countries who travelled alone to/in Thailand.

Thousands travel to Singapore and the ME every month alone. 

2 hours ago, Ulic said:

I think that if they leave solo they are meeting a significant other/customer at the other end.

I remember looking at my maids passport and she had 12 trips to Singapore.  I asked her.  She said vacation. 

10 hours ago, PatOngo said:

Good to see, I hope they learn something, like, Planet Thailand is NOT the centre of the universe!

Yet, I suspect most already are aware of this - with or without the benefit and exposure to travel. 

4 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

I am in a position, that I talk to middle-class Thai teenagers about such things every day, and I can say that you're 100% spot on!

You better ask the Thai who have university degree jobs and speak english....they have the money and like to travel, rent cars and even bring their kids to Japan and Europe/USA.

And probably statistically wrong as well.
I guess the numbers were closely together and comparing it with the world average doesn't make much sense either.
Personally, I travel a lot alone in many different countries and stay mostly in hostels. Seriously I just met one single Thai traveller and that was in Kuala Lumpur. Other than that at least 2 or a bigger group.
Several reasons that we all know, Thais can't do many things alone...

- Yeah, have you ever booked a seat in the cinema that looks completely empty - and despite all the empty seats available, Thais will gravitate towards sitting near other occupied reserved seats. I am not saying this in a negative way, but unlike Westerners, most Asians like crowds- not space.



Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

Also travelling solo,  enables one to entertain some raunchy hanky panky,  cum boum-boum abroad,  with no witness or social pressure ????

Edited April 8, 20197 yr by observer90210

Journalism 101

 

Write a story about traveling ALONE.   

Show a picture of three people traveling, not ALONE

 

??????????????