TAT: More American visitors in 2014

[webfact]

TAT: More American visitors in 2014

BANGKOK: American tourist arrivals will rise by 5.5% to 1.13 million next year on the back of the US economic recovery, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

The TAT forecasts these American travellers will spend 79.5 billion baht, up by 8.23% from this year.

In the first 10 months of 2013, American tourist arrivals increased by 7% year-on-year to 670,000.

TAT deputy governor Juthaporn Rerngronasa said considering the positive economic trend in the US, the agency is gearing up for a major penetration of second-tier cities such as Dallas, Houston and Seattle.

The goal is to increase the number of first-time visitors.

Celebrity marketing will be the main strategy. The TAT plans to sponsor two or three popular reality shows or other programmes in the US, promoting Thai culture through them.

Ms Juthaporn said weddings and honeymoons will be the focus, as Thailand has the potential to grab market share away from the Caribbean. Even though it costs more for travel, Thailand is still good value for money with beautiful tourism sites, she said.

Ms Juthaporn said the TAT has invited travel agents specialising in the honeymoon market from the Americas to visit honeymoon destinations in Thailand such as Phuket and Koh Samui.

To build up the business, it will educate Thai operators on the honeymoon market in the Americas. This will involve virtual online training from travel agents in the Americas, starting next year.

As well, the TAT is giving its Lifestyle Thailand mobile app a fresh new look, with the latest updates from more than 300 participating tourism businesses.

The campaign is expected to increase spending per head by at least 10% for all markets including the US. Total downloads of the app are expected to reach 100,000 in the second year.

The new-look app will be promoted through TAT offices worldwide and the Thailand Fan Club, a TAT Twitter account with more than 150,000 followers.

The TAT joined with Google yesterday to launch the ThailandOnly (Share with the World) marketing campaign on Google+ to promote Thai tourism online.

The project, running from Nov 11 to Dec 10, allows both local and foreign travellers to share photos of tourism sites, culture and customs taken across the country.


-- Phuket News 2013-11-15

[chooka]

Seems as tho they are gearing up for a feeding frenzy on Americans.

[ginjag]

Will rise by 5% and will spend 79 Billion.

NOT MAY rise/spend. Honeymooners are a target -despite the airfare, and will aim at 1st time visitors.

Big spending honeymooners Ha Ha..in bed most of the holiday.

Has anyone noticed that all these extra travelers millions of them all up by big % Thailand will be flooded with arrivals airports overrun.

Tourists are arriving despite all the problems, with no cancellations TAT announced. Only more and more and more. Please build a new BKK airport quick or all these extra passengers will have to spend their holidays at the 2 airports waiting for Passport control.

[ratcatcher]

"Ms Juthaporn said the TAT has invited travel agents specialising in the honeymoon market from the Americas to visit honeymoon destinations in Thailand such as Phuket and Koh Samui."

"Y'all gotta tra Pooket, them Thais sure have some classy beaches"

How's the Chinese tourist boom market doing these days? Still booming?

Edited November 15, 2013 by ratcatcher

[Local Drunk]

Yeah boy! We're going to Ph....it!

[ginjag]

"Ms Juthaporn said the TAT has invited travel agents specialising in the honeymoon market from the Americas to visit honeymoon destinations in Thailand such as Phuket and Koh Samui."

"Y'all gotta tra Pooket, them Thais sure have some classy beaches"

redwed.jpgbabes.jpgmy_big_redneck_wedding_5-x600.jpg

How's the Chinese tourist boom market doing these days? Still booming?

Love the photo of the 2 hippos. especially the one on the left. bikini bottom being swallowed up, hilarious, and what a turn on.

[Lancelot]

Maybe the TAT is missing the ka-jing sound of the cash registers taking in western money?

Tourist revenue claims always boggle my mind- Asian visitors are big spenders, then the next report is that Asians are low spenders. Many say tourism revenue is not important to the Thai economy, yet they scramble to implement damage control to suppress stories that portray Thailand as anything other than paradise.

Arrival number are growing by leaps and bounds, now around 25 million? Or is it 25 billion Yeah, I know only 7 billion folks on planet earth but we have a can do attitude here.

In any case the LOS product is moving ever forward, developed to perfection and beyond improvement

[chooka]

"Ms Juthaporn said the TAT has invited travel agents specialising in the honeymoon market from the Americas to visit honeymoon destinations in Thailand such as Phuket and Koh Samui."

"Y'all gotta tra Pooket, them Thais sure have some classy beaches"

redwed.jpgmy_big_redneck_wedding_5-x600.jpg

How's the Chinese tourist boom market doing these days? Still booming?

Hardly what you would call honeymoon destinations.

Still haven't located any of those pristine crystal clear waters and beautiful white sandy beaches they show in the brochures yet either. Oh and don't even think about sitting on these non existent beaches in the early hours of the morning to watch a romantic sunrise as you will probably get beaten and mugged by a group of thai thugs. Then lets not forget the public humiliation you will subjected to for days after if the BIB catch your muggers. You will be made to point at a person for a photo opportunity which will then be plastered on the media and social sites for people to laugh at. You will be accused on social forums as the instigator of you beating simply because you came here for a romantic honeymoon and sat on the beach.

The Pad Thai is pretty good here tho.

[soi41]

TAT, we love you!!

You are the cornerstone of Thai society!!

Been at it again on the prognosis-board??

[IBoldnewguy]

I would not count on US airlines cooperating with TAT. Cheaper fares equals more tourists and fares from here are not cheap. My 1st RT cost me $1050 from El Paso, TX in 2010 - March 2013 cost me $1550 and that was the cheapest - checking into 2014 trip - $1850+ so far (good connections cost more) I first traveled over with friends and Thailand worked on my retirement budget, It is still budget travel as compared to other destinations and is only cheap if one already knows the ropes.

So a US family of four would have to lay out $8000+ just to arrive. As for honeymooners - who wants to fly 30 hours to arrive too tired and disoriented to do the dirty deed.

Contrary to TAT myths many Americans do not have large amounts of disposable income. In telling stories at the local gym I find that most Americans haven't heard of Thailand or know where it is - we now have a population who can text but can't spell - so if the requirement to arrive in Thailand would be to find it on a map - I would predict a couple hundred max.

[assayer]

TAT: More American visitors in 2014

BANGKOK: American tourist arrivals will rise by 5.5% to 1.13 million next year on the back of the US economic recovery, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

The TAT forecasts these American travellers will spend 79.5 billion baht, up by 8.23% from this year.

In the first 10 months of 2013, American tourist arrivals increased by 7% year-on-year to 670,000.

HMMMM My calculator must be broken. Can anyone else come up with 1.13 million Americans next year?? I figured it to 717000 using their percentage numbers.

[bigbamboo]

But has anyone at TAT told the Americans this?

[Tomtomtom69]

I would not count on US airlines cooperating with TAT. Cheaper fares equals more tourists and fares from here are not cheap. My 1st RT cost me $1050 from El Paso, TX in 2010 - March 2013 cost me $1550 and that was the cheapest - checking into 2014 trip - $1850+ so far (good connections cost more) I first traveled over with friends and Thailand worked on my retirement budget, It is still budget travel as compared to other destinations and is only cheap if one already knows the ropes.

So a US family of four would have to lay out $8000+ just to arrive. As for honeymooners - who wants to fly 30 hours to arrive too tired and disoriented to do the dirty deed.

Contrary to TAT myths many Americans do not have large amounts of disposable income. In telling stories at the local gym I find that most Americans haven't heard of Thailand or know where it is - we now have a population who can text but can't spell - so if the requirement to arrive in Thailand would be to find it on a map - I would predict a couple hundred max.

I remember when I lived in El Paso, TX until 2010 that only locals with Thai spouses knew where Thailand was. Everyone else was like, what, Taiwan? Even my girlfriend, who graduated from UTEP had her transcript sent to Bangkok, Taiwan. However, somehow the transcript still arrived in the real Bangkok.

Surprisingly, there used to be a Thai consulate-general in El Paso, but it closed down a few years earlier, something which didn't surprise me either.

[ramrod711]

TAT can always be counted on to give a sunny (ridiculous) forecast when ever something is amiss in the LOS, a bit disappointing though, I expected them to point out how happy every American would be to donate 500 baht each upon arrival.

[DocN]

Yeeeeees, TAT- that is what is going to happen!

One of the most sensitive markets when it comes to security threats..

[Soi Dog]

Honeymooners?!? Coals to Newcastle.

[JoeThePoster]

spend 79.5 billion baht

How much is that in happy meals?

[bender92]

They will be medical tourists who lost their healthcare under the new ACA.

[ginjag]

TAT predicts the first man on the moon landing within the next 3 years-at a PREDICTED cost of 79 billion.

Year on year-in real terms-in old money.

[brucegoniners]

I hope we don't ruin the place...

[phuketrichard]

I would not count on US airlines cooperating with TAT. Cheaper fares equals more tourists and fares from here are not cheap. My 1st RT cost me $1050 from El Paso, TX in 2010 - March 2013 cost me $1550 and that was the cheapest - checking into 2014 trip - $1850+ so far (good connections cost more) I first traveled over with friends and Thailand worked on my retirement budget, It is still budget travel as compared to other destinations and is only cheap if one already knows the ropes.

So a US family of four would have to lay out $8000+ just to arrive. As for honeymooners - who wants to fly 30 hours to arrive too tired and disoriented to do the dirty deed.

Contrary to TAT myths many Americans do not have large amounts of disposable income. In telling stories at the local gym I find that most Americans haven't heard of Thailand or know where it is - we now have a population who can text but can't spell - so if the requirement to arrive in Thailand would be to find it on a map - I would predict a couple hundred max.

strange as usually booking and flying from the states to Thailand is cheaper than the other way>

I am booked to fly next week r/t Phuket-SFO via China eastern $924.

Last year in August i paid $1,030 on Aseana

Edited November 15, 2013 by phuketrichard

[wileycoyote]

Doubt it !

[donniereadit]

Interesting why they are targeting first time visitors.

They are trying to get people who still have that first flush that comes with vacation and rose colored glasses which likely equates to spending more.

I think a big percentage of the retirees and long timers soon leave if they have the financial means to do so.

[casindonet]

[Lupatria]

More Americans in Thailand? And the rumor is 'rund both of them didn't like it very much.

[IBoldnewguy]

I would not count on US airlines cooperating with TAT. Cheaper fares equals more tourists and fares from here are not cheap. My 1st RT cost me $1050 from El Paso, TX in 2010 - March 2013 cost me $1550 and that was the cheapest - checking into 2014 trip - $1850+ so far (good connections cost more) I first traveled over with friends and Thailand worked on my retirement budget, It is still budget travel as compared to other destinations and is only cheap if one already knows the ropes.

So a US family of four would have to lay out $8000+ just to arrive. As for honeymooners - who wants to fly 30 hours to arrive too tired and disoriented to do the dirty deed.

Contrary to TAT myths many Americans do not have large amounts of disposable income. In telling stories at the local gym I find that most Americans haven't heard of Thailand or know where it is - we now have a population who can text but can't spell - so if the requirement to arrive in Thailand would be to find it on a map - I would predict a couple hundred max.

strange as usually booking and flying from the states to Thailand is cheaper than the other way>

I am booked to fly next week r/t Phuket-SFO via China eastern $924.

Last year in August i paid $1,030 on Aseana

My numbers come from Expedia & American Air for 12/15/13 to 1/15/14. Peak season - milking time.

[zydeco]

I would not count on US airlines cooperating with TAT. Cheaper fares equals more tourists and fares from here are not cheap. My 1st RT cost me $1050 from El Paso, TX in 2010 - March 2013 cost me $1550 and that was the cheapest - checking into 2014 trip - $1850+ so far (good connections cost more) I first traveled over with friends and Thailand worked on my retirement budget, It is still budget travel as compared to other destinations and is only cheap if one already knows the ropes.

So a US family of four would have to lay out $8000+ just to arrive. As for honeymooners - who wants to fly 30 hours to arrive too tired and disoriented to do the dirty deed.

Contrary to TAT myths many Americans do not have large amounts of disposable income. In telling stories at the local gym I find that most Americans haven't heard of Thailand or know where it is - we now have a population who can text but can't spell - so if the requirement to arrive in Thailand would be to find it on a map - I would predict a couple hundred max.

I just don't think Thailand is on the radar screen for most American vacationers. The unfortunate fact is, when you mention Thailand in the US, the first reaction you get is "brothel," and the second one is probably "someone on the lam from the law." When this country is mentioned in the American media, not much else is said. Things were better off when Americans imagined thatched huts and elephants when they thought of Thailand. I do wonder if Vietnam is a preferred destination over Thailand. Probably not, now. But someday it will. And if the word ever gets out about how much better organized and cleaner Malaysian resorts are, then Thailand will slip down into the minor leagues for good.

[phuketrichard]

Doubt all you want.

I am on Kayak.com now

SFO- Bkk depart 12-15 return 1-15 $1,075 on China eastern, one stop Shanghai travel time 22 an 21 back

I am flying phuket-sfo Nov 22 return dec 1st booked last month

El Paso ( two stops Huston, Tokyo) going, Tokyo, Denver coming back on united $1,814 that's a long flight 40 hours going 28 coming back

ON matrix more expensive ( starting at $2,200) but 26 and 22 hours using multiple airlines

Plenty of honeymooners come to phuket to get married but more Chinese an koreans than Americans :-)

[Benmart]

"Ms Juthaporn said the TAT has invited travel agents specialising in the honeymoon market from the Americas to visit honeymoon destinations in Thailand such as Phuket and Koh Samui."

"Y'all gotta tra Pooket, them Thais sure have some classy beaches"

redwed.jpgbabes.jpgmy_big_redneck_wedding_5-x600.jpg

How's the Chinese tourist boom market doing these days? Still booming?

Your post says volumes about you...

[slipperylobster]

Last time I was in the States, I actually saw a billboard that said...

"Phuk it! Lets go to Thailand !"