Tourism Authority of Thailand targets Niche Tourism Boom in 2025

[webfact]

File photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

In a strategic move to capitalise on the high-end travel market, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is banking on four niche sectors—wellness, luxury experiences, sports tourism, and honeymoons—for a prosperous 2025.

 

Propelled by a global shift towards personalised and luxurious travel experiences, the Thai tourism agency is crafting exclusive events and experiences to cater to an affluent clientele with substantial spending power.

 

Chiravadee Khunsub, deputy governor for tourism products and business at the TAT, highlighted the increasing interest in high-value travel experiences, a trend mirrored by global figures.

 

Reports from Allied Market Research place the collective potential of these markets at a staggering 31 billion baht globally back in 2019, with projections surging to an impressive 390 billion baht by 2027.

 

Closer to home, luxury tourism in Thailand amassed between 60 and 70 billion baht in 2023, with expectations of an annual growth rate of 8-10%, signifying a robust upward trajectory for this sector.

Recent data suggests that tourists drawn to these four markets predominantly visited five key destinations: Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Krabi, and Samui. Their average expenditure per person per trip was estimated at 77,693 baht, translating to approximately 6,171 baht per day.

 

Thailand’s diverse landscapes, coupled with its top-tier luxury accommodations and renowned hospitality, make it an appealing proposition for such discerning travellers.

 

Reflecting this demand, establishments graded four stars or higher have already increased their room rates by over 20-30%, noted Chiravadee. Beyond accommodation, the TAT is eager to elevate Thailand's international profile by hosting grand events—from concerts and sports events to fashion shows—in collaboration with luxury operators across the nation.

 

Thailand is already reaping the benefits of its niche marketing strategy. A recent trail running event, Hoka Chiang Mai Thailand by UTMB, drew over 7,000 visitors, contributing 800 million baht to the local economy, and 70% of those attendees were international visitors.

 

Similarly, the Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok 2024 featured Kenyan marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge, pulling in over 33,000 participants and generating approximately 660 million baht.

 

In aiming for the future, TAT intends to spotlight signature Thai festivities such as Chinese New Year, Songkran, and Loy Krathong, boosting their international appeal.

 

Sustainability is at the forefront of this initiative, with the agency committed to promoting eco-friendly practices like the 'Krabi Model,' which incorporates green events and skills training for tourism services, catering to an ever-growing environmentally-conscious demographic.

 

Through these initiatives, Thailand is set on a path not only to rebound from past tourism slumps but to position itself as a premier destination for travellers seeking opulence and unique experiences, all while advocating for sustainability and cultural appreciation, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2024-12-11

 

 

[lordgrinz]

1 minute ago, webfact said:

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is banking on four niche sectors—wellness, luxury experiences, sports tourism, and honeymoons—for a prosperous 2025

 

To really get these kinds of people to come here, they need to work on making sidewalks and Zebra crossings more pedestrian friendly, and start enforcing driver safety on Thai roads (Being as they are the most dangerous in all of Asia). Next step is to enforce tourist safety while they are using Buses, Boats, Taxis, or while renting motorcycles/jetskis/etc.

 

But hey, Porn and Cannabis are more egregious at the moment. 

 

[Will B Good]

 

If any of this were true, the main benefactors will be the big 5* hotels and high-end shops.

 

If find it hard to imagine this type of cliental will be wandering about the street food stalls, jumping into tuk-tuks or running up a huge bar bill in Hillary's and ring the bell....but I guess it all helps.

[lordgrinz]

Just now, Will B Good said:

 

If any of this were true, the main benefactors will be the big 5* hotels and high-end shops.

 

If find it hard to imagine this type of cliental will be wandering about the street food stalls, jumping into tuk-tuks or running up a huge bar bill in Hillary's and ring the bell....but I guess it all helps.

 

Exactly, they are shooting for the wrong clientele, if they want bottom-feeders, then they should advertise cheap food, cheap women, gambling, cannabis, bar-hopping, backpacker accommodations, etc. Either advertise it as the New Sin-City, or start fixing the underlying problems first.

[Will B Good]

9 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Exactly, they are shooting for the wrong clientele, if they want bottom-feeders, then they should advertise cheap food, cheap women, gambling, cannabis, bar-hopping, backpacker accommodations, etc. Either advertise it as the New Sin-City, or start fixing the underlying problems first.

 

Wow!

 

My thoughts exactly, just after having written that.....you need money feeding in at the 'bottom' and let it trickle upwards......it never trickles downwards.

[JoePai]

So they have given up on the "mass" market ?

[impulse]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

In a strategic move to capitalise on the high-end travel market, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is banking on four niche sectors—wellness...

 

They should strike while the iron is hot by publishing transparent pricing for healthcare procedures.  Prices that are generally lower than the copay alone in most US hospitals and with most American insurance.  It's a hot topic after a certain incident in the news.

 

Pretty sweet if you can convalesce on a tropical beach after your procedure, and it still costs less than back home. 

 

Not to mention old age care.  If Thailand can ever figure out how to deliver consistent, predictable quality care to old farts, they'd make a pile of money.  And not just from Yanks.  I've never been in a low end British old farts home, but just the thought of a winter in England spooks me...

 

 

[fulhamster]

If they want more tourists then they should be asking the man in his mansion to sort out the fx rate

 

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

In a strategic move to capitalise on the high-end travel market, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is banking on four niche sectors—wellness, luxury experiences, sports tourism, and honeymoons—for a prosperous 2025

Just stick with the thousands of backpackers... 

[rumeaug]

9 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Exactly, they are shooting for the wrong clientele, if they want bottom-feeders, then they should advertise cheap food, cheap women, gambling, cannabis, bar-hopping, backpacker accommodations, etc. Either advertise it as the New Sin-City, or start fixing the underlying problems first.

...Wouldn't say these "cheap women" are actually cheap anymore. Quite the opposite. Some things don't change, but prices definitly do. Cheers

[hotandsticky]

6 minutes ago, rumeaug said:

...Wouldn't say these "cheap women" are actually cheap anymore. Quite the opposite. Some things don't change, but prices definitly do. Cheers

 

 

I am paying the same rate that I was paying 12 years ago.

[BangkokReady]

2 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

I am paying the same rate that I was paying 12 years ago.

 

Yeah, but after 12 years, she can't be as attractive as she used to be...

[BangkokReady]

11 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

Exactly, they are shooting for the wrong clientele, if they want bottom-feeders, then they should advertise cheap food, cheap women, gambling, cannabis, bar-hopping, backpacker accommodations, etc. Either advertise it as the New Sin-City, or start fixing the underlying problems first.

 

They want millionaires to come and enjoy the facilities aimed at backpackers, but spend like millionaires when they do.

[Gknrd]

Ahhh, their annual out put of BS and nonsense. I imagine real 1-2 week tourists from the West would spend twice that much. But, of course western tourists with any sense bypass Thailand.  Let's see them suck that out of their brothers from China. The tourists from China now are staying home or eating 7-11 noodles when they get to Thailand. 

China:s economy is doing so bad they are starting to promote tourism....  What a joke ...

[Patong2021]

Does anyone  ever think these schemes through?

 

Wellness:   Oh sure, the Air Quality  will really attract  health focused  visitor. Come choke with us. Enjoy some of the worst air quality in the world. Special promotion during burning season when you can come and sear and scar your lungs. I can envision the "special" baths promotion now: Come bathe in our feces infused  water. It is just like India, except there won't be a half burnt corpse passing you by as you float blissfully. Thailand refuses to release water quality results for its main beaches, but we all know why. Does TAT really believe that Europeans who emphasize health are unaware of the sewage issues? Most visitors to Patong and Pattaya are unaware or don't care. The educated and wealthy will care.

 

Luxury Experience: Yes, Thai hotels can be nice.  Unfortunately, Thailand is still unable to offer potable water.  A true luxury resort does not  have to warn  guests not to drink the water and to be careful with the ice. Guests need not fear electrocution while taking a shower.  Towels  won't have to be overly perfumed to cover up the wet dog stench from Thailand's water. 

Yes, Thailand has many excellent high quality hotels, but the  higher end facilities are not up to the quality found in Singapore or Dubai. Thailand can't compete with them.

 

Sports Tourism: WTF?  With what facilities?  Decrepit noisy jet skis and  motorboats dragging a suspended parachute is not  sports.  Thailand would have to invest billions in facilities and unless it is a new  golf course for the  military it won't happen.

 

Honeymoons: So the pig push for Indian honeymoon business fizzled? Maybe they can try for  the Australian bogan  and UK lager lout market next. Offer free rose or butterfly tats  along with some extra wide shawls for the ladies and some barbed wire tats and  prestained singlet shirts for the men and they might have something.

 

[DonniePeverley]

If the UK, Australia, USA opened up visas to Indians and Chinese and allowed them to enter as they wish - they would have tourists in the hundreds of millions.