Screenshot. File photo

 

Thailand's tourism sector is poised to welcome an influx of Saudi Arabian tourists, thanks to new direct flights connecting Riyadh and Jeddah to the popular resort island of Phuket. Saudia, the national airline of Saudi Arabia, has initiated three services a week to Phuket, starting with its inaugural flight SV852 from Riyadh which landed on Monday. Another service, SV850, from Jeddah, followed suit on Wednesday.

 

The ambition behind these direct flight routes is to diversify Saudi Arabian tourism beyond Bangkok, facilitating easier access to the idyllic beaches and vibrant nightlife of Phuket.

 

Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, emphasised the significance of this development, noting that it aligns with the ongoing effort to bolster the tourism economy by attracting high-value visitors.

 

Since the restoration of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Saudi Arabia in 2022, after over 30 years, the number of Saudi tourists visiting Thailand has shown a robust increase. In the first 10 months of this year alone, approximately 188,000 Saudis visited Thailand, marking a 30% rise compared to the same period in the previous year.

 

The TAT has set a target of achieving 220,000 Saudi visitors for the entire year. Given the positive reception of these new flight routes, they ambitiously aim to see this number rise to 330,000 next year.

Saudi Arabian visitors are known for their significant spending power, with average trip expenditures amounting to about 80,000 Thai Baht. This figure considerably surpasses the average spending of foreign tourists in Thailand, which typically hovers around 50,000 Thai Baht. This highlights the economic potential for Thailand's hospitality and retail sectors, prompted by increased Saudi tourism.

 

With the introduction of these flights, Saudia now provides three flights per week from both Riyadh and Jeddah directly to Phuket. This is in addition to their existing services connecting these cities with Bangkok.

 

As Thailand continues its efforts to rejuvenate its tourism industry post-pandemic, such strategic partnerships and travel routes serve as a foundation for fostering stronger international ties and economic growth.

 

The increasing Saudi interest in Thailand presents an exciting opportunity to showcase the country's myriad attractions beyond the capital city, offering enriched experiences for discerning travellers., reported Bangkok Post

 

-- 2024-12-04

 

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The TAT has set a target of achieving 220,000 Saudi visitors for the entire year. Given the positive reception of these new flight routes, they ambitiously aim to see this number rise to 330,000 next year.

Excellent idea .............LOL