TAT: More American visitors in 2014

[Ulic]

Apples and Oranges as far as weddings/ honeymoons to the Caribbean. One basically the same time zone direct flights low cost.

Easy and relatively inexpensive for spread out families and friends from all over North America to get to. Kind of like bachelor/bachelorette

parties in Vegas. As for romantic honeymoons most would pick Tahiti/Bora Bora. Expensive yes but as a one off and much cleaner and

absolutely beautiful. That would be my choice. Never married and a permanent bachelor but I have been all over French Polynesia and

in is far better choice.

[Bender]

oh folks, you are a bunch of cynical

Dont you have any shame ruining the hard attempt of TAT to attract honeymooner to trashy phuket .

Is there anyone who can send to ABC/CNN/FOX/CBS, this video footage of an Oman honeymoon couple who got beaten in phuket a couple of weeks ago.

Wonder if they will not also try to attract Russian honeymooner to...pattaya

Edited November 15, 2013 by Bender

[isawasnake]

What are these numbers based on, some previous number of Americans before the economy stunk?

I am surprised anyone from America makes it here myself. Beaches, you can come close to Thailand, and even outdo it for the most part (depending on what you are looking for) in or near America. Food, you can beat it easily, although Thai food does have its charms. Nightlife, Thailand is pretty much a joke imo. General activities, it is just too hot here, another huge joke relatively speaking. Sex tourism, ok, that one Thailand wins. Honeymooners? I'm sure it has happened, but who wants a 16 hour flight followed by a 10 hour layover at Incheon on their honeymoon?

Nobody from America is coming here.

Edited November 15, 2013 by isawasnake

[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"

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...

I'm moved, thanks. I hope you aren't American.

[SantiSuk]

Telling the Texans that their two major cities are "second tier cities". That'll work. Way to go TAT

Edited November 15, 2013 by SantiSuk

[nong38]

Forecasts mean nothing, especially here in Thailand and the figures will be massaged to say whatever you desire them to, so back to the 70's then! Or is it that they are not up tp speed on the scams to relieve them of the their money?

In some things Thailand can compete with the best, if on the other hand they decided to give tourists a good time at a competitive price then they might come back again, short term or long term, Thailand is usually shirt term here today gone tomorrow and never to return I wonder why?

Its a different culture.

[nong38]

oh folks, you are a bunch of cynical

Dont you have any shame ruining the hard attempt of TAT to attract honeymooner to trashy phuket .

Is there anyone who can send to ABC/CNN/FOX/CBS, this video footage of an Oman honeymoon couple who got beaten in phuket a couple of weeks ago.

Wonder if they will not also try to attract Russian honeymooner to...pattaya

Why would anyone want to go to Phuket? The name is the best part of it, I would not want to go back there, IMO its over rated, but you might see it in another shade, it might have been great one day but things change, depends what you are looking for.

[NeverSure]

It is far cheaper for Americans to vacation in America, and one can completely change the scenery, the food, the culture and the weather in a day's drive. I don't think that most Americans have seen all of the country, and anything new and different is always nice. Vacations by car are very popular in the US.

There are good reasons why America, with the world's third largest population, is underrepresented in Thailand both as expats and tourists.

America also has its own famous attractions such as the national parks, Disneyland, Sea World, amazing parks with rides for the kids and big roller coasters for the adults. Even a domestic flight is cheaper and faster if one wants to go 3,000 miles (4,500 kms) across the country. It is a lot of work to get to Thailand. It took me almost 30 hours to get to Thailand last time, and I arrived with jet lag which affected me a lot for a couple of days. When it is 8:00 AM on the West Coast of the US, it is 10:00 PM in Thailand. When it is 10:00 PM in the US, it is noon the next day in Thailand. Between the very long trip and the jet lag, it is simply easier to take a 7 hour non-stop flight to S. America.

TAT can say what it will, but I think most Americans in Thailand go for the women, and they are single men.

[crumpled]

"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.

Dang. I thought they were elephants.

[wooloomooloo]

Let's hope KFC can offer secure lockers for a small fee.

[NowImEasy]

Note to TAT: Quoted 270,000 baht ($9000.00USD) in the US for necessary dental work. Cost in Chiang Mai, 34,000 baht.

Marketing should be focused on us baby boomers and not the newlyweds. Jest sayin'

[isawasnake]

It is far cheaper for Americans to vacation in America, and one can completely change the scenery, the food, the culture and the weather in a day's drive. I don't think that most Americans have seen all of the country, and anything new and different is always nice. Vacations by car are very popular in the US.

There are good reasons why America, with the world's third largest population, is underrepresented in Thailand both as expats and tourists.

America also has its own famous attractions such as the national parks, Disneyland, Sea World, amazing parks with rides for the kids and big roller coasters for the adults. Even a domestic flight is cheaper and faster if one wants to go 3,000 miles (4,500 kms) across the country. It is a lot of work to get to Thailand. It took me almost 30 hours to get to Thailand last time, and I arrived with jet lag which affected me a lot for a couple of days. When it is 8:00 AM on the West Coast of the US, it is 10:00 PM in Thailand. When it is 10:00 PM in the US, it is noon the next day in Thailand. Between the very long trip and the jet lag, it is simply easier to take a 7 hour non-stop flight to S. America.

TAT can say what it will, but I think most Americans in Thailand go for the women, and they are single men.

You could live a good, adventurous lifetime, and never see all of what a single state like California has to offer. And even if you did see all you wanted, you certainly would need some time to revisit your favorite spots.

[IsaanUSA]

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.

Pretty easy actually.

They are saying 1.13 million US visitors is the number for 2014, which will be 5.5% higher than 2013. So they are saying there will be 1,071,090 visitors from the USA for 2013.

They go on to say in the first 10 months of 2013 there have been 670,000 US visitors. So they are saying there will be 401,090 US visitors in November and December.

[IsaanUSA]

Note to TAT: Quoted 270,000 baht ($9000.00USD) in the US for necessary dental work. Cost in Chiang Mai, 34,000 baht.

Marketing should be focused on us baby boomers and not the newlyweds. Jest sayin'

Did you get a quote from Mexico? That's where many Americans are going for dental work.

[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...

I'm moved, thanks. I hope you aren't American.

A futile attempt on your part to bring nationalism into the foray. Again, your post is revealing.

[BlackJack]

oh no

they speak louder than the Thai's

and none stop

[JulesMad]

There comes TAT again... More BS predictions, as usual

[IBoldnewguy]

Note to TAT: Quoted 270,000 baht ($9000.00USD) in the US for necessary dental work. Cost in Chiang Mai, 34,000 baht.

Marketing should be focused on us baby boomers and not the newlyweds. Jest sayin'

Did you get a quote from Mexico? That's where many Americans are going for dental work.

Americans are not going to Mexico - unless they are already stoned and delirious. I had 10 crowns in BKK last year $3300 compared to 10/12K here in Las Cruces - I live 60 miles from Juarez and it is comparative cheaper than LOS but more dangerous and I didn't want to lose head over tooth plus the cartels are not known for happy ending massage - ending yes, but not so happy

[IsaanUSA]

Note to TAT: Quoted 270,000 baht ($9000.00USD) in the US for necessary dental work. Cost in Chiang Mai, 34,000 baht.

Marketing should be focused on us baby boomers and not the newlyweds. Jest sayin'

Did you get a quote from Mexico? That's where many Americans are going for dental work.

Americans are not going to Mexico - unless they are already stoned and delirious. I had 10 crowns in BKK last year $3300 compared to 10/12K here in Las Cruces - I live 60 miles from Juarez and it is comparative cheaper than LOS but more dangerous and I didn't want to lose head over tooth plus the cartels are not known for happy ending massage - ending yes, but not so happy

You must have not been to the USA lately.

[IBoldnewguy]

Note to TAT: Quoted 270,000 baht ($9000.00USD) in the US for necessary dental work. Cost in Chiang Mai, 34,000 baht.

Marketing should be focused on us baby boomers and not the newlyweds. Jest sayin'

Did you get a quote from Mexico? That's where many Americans are going for dental work.

Americans are not going to Mexico - unless they are already stoned and delirious. I had 10 crowns in BKK last year $3300 compared to 10/12K here in Las Cruces - I live 60 miles from Juarez and it is comparative cheaper than LOS but more dangerous and I didn't want to lose head over tooth plus the cartels are not known for happy ending massage - ending yes, but not so happy

You must have not been to the USA lately.

And you must not have read my post "here in Las Cruces (NM)" - "I live 60 miles from Juarez (EL Paso, TX)." Now I don't profess to be an expert on border crossings but I doubt if you are either. The local news is that Juarez has calmed down as far as cartel murders but robbery and kidnapping are common events. Hence my choice to get my dental work done in BKK due to the safety factor; I've never been threatened in BKK and walking alone in the evening is much safer than most US metropolitan areas. Having a pistol pointed at your head (I do have the experience) and your pockets emptied (plus he stole my car) is much more stressful than being ripped off a few hundred baht by a taxi/tuk-tuk driver or whatever.

[IsaanUSA]

Ok, I should rephrase my prior comment, obviously you have no idea about medical tourism to Mexico.

[rametindallas]

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

The cheapest R/T tickets in the World originate in London, Istanbul, and Bangkok

[ginjag]

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

The cheapest R/T tickets in the World originate in London, Istanbul, and Bangkok

Well October I paid 40,000 bht return BKK-LHR. my friend flew out on my return leg with me--and paid 30,000 bht.

UK fares are25% cheaper in general.

[IBoldnewguy]

Ok, I should rephrase my prior comment, obviously you have no idea about medical tourism to Mexico.

If you have some current data to back up your expertise on the matter why don't you post the links/sources?

I would be interested as I did research in that direction prior to my March 2013 trip; the reviews posted (general and specific to various clinics) concerning Dental work in Juarez were dated 2010 and before (nothing current at that time) plus the local news emphasized the economic downturn and prevalent crime (also at that time the cartel/military situation was still in play).

Contradicting the comments of others and pointing out where they might be incorrect is not the same as providing sources for correct information without which your comment above is not even relevant to the conversation,

Edited November 19, 2013 by IBoldnewguy

[Prbkk]

United Airlines will drop its Narita- Bangkok rtn flights from April 2014. Presumably ANA will be the codeshare for United from that time.