Thailand projecting turnaround in visitor arrivals from Russia

[webfact]

Thailand projecting turnaround in visitor arrivals from Russia

BANGKOK: -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) proceeded normally with its participation in the International Russian Travel Market-Leisure (OTDYKH-Leisure) trade show as part of its ongoing objective to maintain a high marketing profile across all source markets.

The Thai delegation to the OTDYKH-Leisure, the most important travel trade event in the Russian market and CIS countries, was led by H.E. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and Sports. TAT has been participating regularly in the show since 1995. It has played a major role in helping make Russia one of Thailand’s top ten sources of visitor arrivals.

The trade delegation included over 14 Thai exhibitors representing hotels, tour operators and travel-related agencies. The Thai Pavilion this year bore the “2015 Discover Thainess” marketing theme with interesting activities organised alongside including the Thai Fight for the Thailand Fan Club at the Ray Arena, which was designed to tap the growing Russian interest in Muay Thai boxing.

TAT also celebrated its being awarded as the ‘Most Active’ national tourism organisation (NTO) at the OTDYKH-Leisure. There are only two NTOs receiving this award, another is Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, United Arab Emirates.

Russia is Thailand’s largest source of visitor arrivals from Europe. It is also one of six countries that contributes more than one million annual arrivals, and one of only two countries that generates more female visitors than males.

In 2006, Russian visitor arrivals totalled 187,658. By 2014, this number had surged to 1.6 million Russian visitors. In January-July 2015, Russian visitors to Thailand totalled 506,071.

Thailand, like many other destinations popular with Russian visitors, is feeling the impact of the decline in Russian outbound travellers. However, TAT is confident that the Russian economy will soon be back on track. This year, Thailand is projecting between 900,000 – 1,000,000 Russian visitors.

One reason for this projected turnaround is the outcome from the April 2015 visit to Thailand by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. The visit was explicitly designed to boost bilateral trade, economic and investment between Russia and Thailand, which is Russia’s biggest trading partner in ASEAN.

Full story: http://www.eturbonews.com/63975/thailand-projecting-turnaround-visitor-arrivals-russia

-- eTN 2015-09-21

[fritzzz25]

Well, you heard it here first. Russia's economy will be back to normal soon! Invest in those Rubles now!!!!!

[Sam Jones]

Cant you hear the fat lady is singing, Ms. Popcorn ... ?

[bkkcanuck8]

Oil and gas are not projected to recover for many years, and somehow an economy that is basically driven by those two industries because corruption kills anything else.... is suddenly going to be floating in excess money to spend on travel???? What business school did this great economic advisors graduate from???

[NCC1701A]

"One reason for this projected turnaround is the outcome from the April 2015 visit to Thailand by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. The visit was explicitly designed to boost bilateral trade, economic and investment between Russia and Thailand, which is Russia’s biggest trading partner in ASEAN."

what has that got to do with tourism?

my recent trip to Pattaya was so much better without all the Soviets blocking the sidewalks.

maybe someone should open a bar called "check point charlie"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Checkpoint_Charlie

[bangkokheat]

here we go again, i can just see these tat boys and girls playing in the sandpit saying my trucks bigger than your truck

[anthos]

Well on a side note the luxury sector is not affected that much. My bookings to luxury hotels stayed on the same level in 14-15 as in the previous seasons. The demand for winter 15-16 is also promising.

Most affected is the mass market:3-4 star hotels, charter flight packeage tours to Pattaya and Phuket, mid and low budget house rentals etc. They will shrink. Which is good imo, the presence of fellow Russians was becoming disproportional (which is well documented on the forum by various haters) all because of the high oil prices.

[gchurch259]

OK, Einstein's, It is getting to be Winter in Russia soon and where else would they go other than the Med !!

[anthos]

If they can't afford Thailand anymore due to 100% rouble devaluation then the only place they go other than the Med would be their kitchen with a bottle of vodka and pickled cucumbers on the table

[GeckosDiving]

Great more bad news why can't they go to India they would fit in better there.

[phoenixdoglover]

2014, 1.6 million Russian visitors

2015, 900,000 to 1 million projected visitors

It's a turnaround!!!

[RIJoe]

And they and the indians will still block the sidewalks. Go home or just away!

[Prbkk]

2014, 1.6 million Russian visitors

2015, 900,000 to 1 million projected visitors

It's a turnaround!!!

Indeed. Also a question of how much they are spending viz previous years. Thailand has never been a destination of choice for really rich Russians and one could speculate that the 900,000 who do come in 2015 are spending less per head...still eat, drink and sleep, thereby providing jobs....just not as much or as many

[rijit]

OK, Einstein's, It is getting to be Winter in Russia soon and where else would they go other than the Med !!

The Crimea

rijit

[webfact]

Thai tourism buoyed by hopes of Russian revival
The Phuket News


Thainess activities at the expo in Moscow included the Thai puppet show and classical dance. Photo: TAT

MOSCOW: -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is confident that the Russian economy will soon be back on track and projects that 900,000 to one million Russians will visit Thailand this year.

Russia is Thailand’s largest source of visitor arrivals from Europe. It is one of six countries that contributes more than one million annual arrivals, and one of only two countries that generates more female visitors than males.

In 2006, Russian visitor arrivals totalled 187,658. By 2014, this number had surged to 1.6 million Russian visitors.

However, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports in August reported that Russian arrivals had more than halved. (See story here.)

http://www.thephuketnews.com/chinese-tourism-arrivals-expenditure-doubles-russian-market-halves-53635.php

Now, the TAT reports that from January-July 2015, Russian visitors to Thailand totalled 506,071.

With an eye to boost the number, and quality, of arrivals from the Russian Federation, Thai Tourism and Sports of Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul recently led the Thai delegation to the International Russian Travel Market-Leisure (OTDYKH-Leisure) trade show, the most important travel trade event in the Russian market and CIS countries.

“We highly recognise the significance of the Russian market. We also all realise the current economic impact, which has affected all of us,” Minister Kobkarn said.

“We would like to emphasise that Thailand will continue to be your good friend, especially during this time. We are continuing our promotions and programmes as normal. As such, we are here at the OTDYKH-Leisure 2015 to enhance the cooperation and partnership with you all in order to lead us out of the current situation.”

TAT has been participating regularly in the show since 1995. It has played a major role in helping make Russia one of Thailand’s top 10 sources of visitor arrivals.

The trade delegation included over 14 Thai exhibitors representing hotels, tour operators and travel-related agencies. The Thai Pavilion this year bore the “2015 Discover Thainess” marketing theme with interesting activities organised alongside including the Thai Fight for the Thailand Fan Club at the Ray Arena, which was designed to tap the growing Russian interest in Muay Thai boxing.

TAT also celebrated its being awarded as the ‘Most Active’ national tourism organisation (NTO) at the OTDYKH-Leisure. There are only two NTOs receiving this award, another is Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, United Arab Emirates.

Reasons for the turnaround

One reason given by the TAT for the projected turnaround is the outcome from the April 2015 visit to Thailand by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. The visit was explicitly designed to boost bilateral trade, economic and investment between Russia and Thailand, which is Russia’s biggest trading partner in Asean.

The two countries agreed to increase the trade turnover up to US$10 billion (B357.62 billion) by 2020. Russia is looking to increase its import of fruits and vegetables, meat and fish products from Thailand. At the same time, Russian companies have offered to help Thailand with the implementation of major infrastructure projects, especially in the railways sector.

The two countries also signed a tourism cooperation agreement covering the period 2015-2017. The Thai government has welcomed Russia’s plan to establish a cultural centre in Bangkok.

This year, TAT launched a Russian version of its smartphone application “The Maze”. This app is designed to match the travel preferences of each individual with the appropriate choice of products, services and destinations in Thailand. It is available for download from the website http://tourismthailand.ru/maze/

Road shows and marketing workshops will also be conducted in major Russian cities.

This is in addition to the most recent marketing event, “The Romantic Thailand Campaign”, which was launched in May 2015.

For the first time, 122 couples from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Georgia took part in this online competition. Six winning couples were hosted to experience a fabulous Thai wedding ceremony and honeymoon between 28 July and 9 August, 2015. The entire trip through the best tourism attractions of Bangkok and Phuket was massively covered via social media in a unique new format of an online show.

Russians can obtain a 30-day visa-free facility at major international Thai border checkpoints. As of September 2015, there are seven direct scheduled flights per week between Bangkok and Moscow operated by Aeroflot Russia Airlines. In addition, numerous scheduled and charter flights operate between major cities in Russia, the CIS countries and Thailand.

The Pattaya Connection

At the OTDYKH-Leisure, the Russian trade was informed about the agreement to further develop the U-tapao-Rayong-Pattaya International Airport for commercial purposes. The first phase includes a new passenger terminal, which is expected to be completed in June 2016 and capable of handling three million passengers a year.

This will help Thailand better handle the growing demand by scheduled and charter flights from Russia to land directly at the U-tapao-Rayong-Pattaya International Airport, said the TAT.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/thai-tourism-buoyed-by-hopes-of-russian-revival-54194.php


-- Phuket News 2015-09-21

[clockman]

Panic setting in!

[eliotness]

If they can't afford Thailand anymore due to 100% rouble devaluation then the only place they go other than the Med would be their kitchen with a bottle of vodka and pickled cucumbers on the table

From what I've seen on the internet, the Black Sea coast is very popular with Russians, but then again maybe the conflict in the Ukraine has killed that. But go to Spain and there "were" plenty of Russians. From what I've seen of Russians, they're not too happy with Thai food, basic eastern european food is what they seem to like. So apart from the temperature (they seem to bring there own "girls) and easy visas why come to Thailand ???

[davehowden]

The Syrians will be coming soon, not to worry.

[cancan70]

What makes them think the price of oil is going to go up? Russia's whole economy is based on the oil and gas industry and as long as the world price is down, the economy will remain where it is. Also Russia is feeling the effects of all the sanctions placed on them for their support to the rebels in the Ukraine and the invasion and consequent annexation of the Crimean peninsula. So unless TOT knows something that the rest of the world is oblivious to, their forecast is out to lunch.

[AGareth2]

more women than men!

[shirtless]

Hope is a last resort There will be no Russian turnaround without a steep rise in oil and gas .So where do these people get this optimism from.

[i claudius]

Wonder then why all the Russians are selling up and leaving ,they get far more rubles than they paid for their condos,and those that only put a deposite down now can't afford them ,its an exodus

[Srikcir]

"The World Bank’s baseline scenario for the Russian economy suggests one of stagnation with projected growth of 0.3 percent in 2015 and 0.4 percent in 2016." Even Thailand now can do better than this.

Going forward beyond 2016 China as Russia’s main natural gas export market subplanting EU could give Russia a long-term economic boost. However, If China's economic slowdown continues (estimate 10 years to a more domestic consumption economy vs. export economy) and price of oil and gas move lower, Russia will not get an economic sustainability from China.

Current economic sanctions placed by the EU and USA are aimed largely at the Russian government and key leaders. Should Putin continue to isolate Russia further from international cooperation with continued military aggression, the EU and the USA might apply even greater sanctions directed towards the Russian people.

All in all, "The Russians Are Coming" is truly wishful thinking.

[houlicha]

Syria and the Ukraine are also projecting increases in Russian visitors next year.

[Alwyn]

oh joy...

[bangon04]

"However, TAT is confident that the Russian economy will soon be back on track."

Another day, another TAT announcement.

and the all new TAT campaign for 2016 will focus on the all new and exciting attractions of

thai temples, muay Thai, Thai food, thai puppet shows and thai classical dancing.

No wonder they forecast a massive increase in female visitors.... Amazing Thailand

[Jiu-Jitsu]

Many Russian acquaintances complain about the terrible exchange rate. If they will visit Thailand, they visit off season on a cheap last minute charter. Then let us not forget the masses of Russians who cannot travel, as their employers hold their International passports. They are effectively trapped within their own country, on a travel ban. Their current political circumstances have probably exacerbated the situation.

Read more here: http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21657840-soviet-days-state-making-it-harder-many-holiday-abroad-banned-foreign and http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/article/controlling-russians-through-travel-bans/500914.html

[Simons3]

Well on a side note the luxury sector is not affected that much. My bookings to luxury hotels stayed on the same level in 14-15 as in the previous seasons. The demand for winter 15-16 is also promising.

Most affected is the mass market:3-4 star hotels, charter flight packeage tours to Pattaya and Phuket, mid and low budget house rentals etc. They will shrink. Which is good imo, the presence of fellow Russians was becoming disproportional (which is well documented on the forum by various haters) all because of the high oil prices.

an accurate statement if you ask me, plenty of Russians hanging out on Pratumnak Hill in Pattaya, but they are the ones with US dollars. The less well off ones are not in evidence, although they have now been replaced with bus loads of Chinese walking in a Herd following a totem on a stick held aloft by the tour guide, and taking up the entire sidewalk as they go... not sure which is worse haha

[jacko45k]

What, you mean when they arrive they will just 'turnaround' and go back.

Great, works for me.

[Toknarok]

Many Russian acquaintances complain about the terrible exchange rate. If they will visit Thailand, they visit off season on a cheap last minute charter. Then let us not forget the masses of Russians who cannot travel, as their employers hold their International passports. They are effectively trapped within their own country, on a travel ban. Their current political circumstances have probably exacerbated the situation.

Read more here: http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21657840-soviet-days-state-making-it-harder-many-holiday-abroad-banned-foreign and http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/article/controlling-russians-through-travel-bans/500914.html

Quite. The Russian authorities are closely watching their citizens who want to travel abroad, like they did in the Soviet era. They've just gaoled an engineer for 14 years for applying for a job in Sweden. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34318071