DoT to Promote Friendly Tourism for Muslim Visitors

[webfact]

by Krajangwit Johjit

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Department of Tourism (DoT) seeks to attract Muslim tourists to the country by promoting Thailand as a friendly tourism destination.

 

The DoT and the private sectors recently held a focus group discussion on Islamic tourism in Phuket province.

 

This was the fourth such discussion, with previous ones held in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Chon Buri. DoT’s Tourist Attractions Development Division Director Athuek Phrasenmoon stated that the global tourism industry recognizes Muslim tourists as a fast-growing market with high spending power.

 

Referring to focus group talks, Athuek said Muslim tourists prefer Muslim-friendly destinations such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Krabi, as well as hotels and restaurants that serve halal food and provide facilities such as prayer rooms.

 

The private sector also suggested promoting tourism activities related to the Muslim calendar, such as offering attractive campaigns after Ramadan, which is considered one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims

 

According to the MasterCard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index 2022, Thailand is the fourth most popular non-Muslim country among Muslim tourists, behind Malaysia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

 

The kingdom received 11.8 million international visitors in 2022, with over 400,000 of whom traveling from the Middle East, a 65% increase over the same period in 2019. This group’s overall spending also increased by 71% over the previous four years.

 

With this in mind, the DoT is committed to developing a solid plan to attract more Muslim tourists to the kingdom while ensuring that they feel welcome and comfortable during their stay.

 

Aside from implementing a solid tourism promotion strategy, the department is also working to prepare authorities and personnel working in the hospitality and service industries to understand their culture, behavior, and particular needs.

 

Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230317135036116

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2023-03-18

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

[ozz1]

I guess pork is off the menu then

[khunPer]

3 hours ago, ozz1 said:

I guess pork is off the menu then

Perhaps, perhaps not...???? This photo is from my visit last year at the wet market in Muslim Village (Hua Thanon), but perhaps it's just business...

 

[proton]

Why should prayer rooms be provided? they can pray in their rooms, they do it in the parks in the UK. The country does not provide Church rooms or Synagogue spaces but muslims always seem to get special treatment. The prayer rooms at airports are really mosques, they have no chairs or religious symbols, apart from pointing the way to Mecca.

[redwood1]

How to attract Muslims....

 

 

 

 

 

[KannikaP]

Anything for Rastafarians please?

[hotchilli]

23 hours ago, webfact said:

The Department of Tourism (DoT) seeks to attract Muslim tourists to the country by promoting Thailand as a friendly tourism destination.

Pleaseeeeeeee, just give it a rest.

[John Drake]

On 3/18/2023 at 6:56 AM, webfact said:

According to the MasterCard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index 2022, Thailand is the fourth most popular non-Muslim country among Muslim tourists, behind Malaysia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

I thought Islam was the official religion in Malaysia. How is it a non-Muslim country?

[bang saen guy]

Muslims holiday in Malaysia. Thailand will never get that business

[gomangosteen]

17 minutes ago, bang saen guy said:

Muslims holiday in Malaysia. Thailand will never get that business

You mean apart from the 400,000 from the Middle East who visited last year?

Locally (Chanthaburi) we see African Muslims, a new mosque is under construction in the city, there's a long-established community here.

[bang saen guy]

7 hours ago, gomangosteen said:

You mean apart from the 400,000 from the Middle East who visited last year?

Locally (Chanthaburi) we see African Muslims, a new mosque is under construction in the city, there's a long-established community here.

Meant from the Middle East. Just from my experience in KL