(CTN News) – Thailand’s tourism industry is expected to experience a spike, with online travel platform Klook projecting two million orders for holiday packages this year.
According to Klook’s COO, Eric Gnock Fah, Thailand’s tourist sector is rapidly recovering, rivalling Japan’s spectacular resurgence and outperforming other Asian locations.
“Klook sold over a million packages in Thailand last year, doubling its sales from the previous year.
Chinese and US Tourists Key Players in Thailand’s Tourism Boom
“The driving force behind this year’s surge will be our innovative tour packages, meticulously crafted to meet burgeoning demands.”
Klook plans to introduce new destinations upcountry, including as Khao Yai’s beautiful landscapes and Chiang Mai’s cultural depth, in addition to traditional favourites like floating markets and the Grand Palace.
“Chinese tourists remain an important market, as seen by the significant increase in numbers during the recent Chinese New Year celebrations.
“Meanwhile, travellers from the US are primed to seize the spotlight, emerging as Klook’s top clientele, driven by a resurgent economy and a robust US dollar.”
With Americans embracing Thailand’s allure, gravitating towards iconic landmarks like the Grand Palace and immersive city tours, and Chinese visitors indulging in pampering sessions at spas and luxury experiences, Klook is poised to elevate the holiday experience even further by forming collaborations with festivals and concert organisers, in line with Thailand’s soft power strategy. During the Songkran vacation week, keen tourists can choose from various exciting water festival tour routes.
Gnock Fah highlighted Klook’s 2023 poll, which found that more than 49% of tourists participated in such events during their travels.
“Post-pandemic, the thirst for bold experiences such as events, concerts, and festivals has intensified.”
To enhance the vacation experience, Klook will combine events and concerts with additional services like lodging and vehicle rentals.
The success of promoting a Taylor Swift concert in Singapore last year, when Thai tourists spent four to five times more than the ticket price on shopping, food, and accommodation, highlights the importance of mega events in stimulating inward tourism, according to Bangkok Post.
Furthermore, Klook saw a 30% increase in the average booking value for Thailand items compared to 2019, driven by bundled attraction passes and vehicle rentals, with high-end hotels reporting record occupancy rates, indicating guests’ willingness to pay.
While acknowledging the market’s reliance on Chinese tourists, Gnock Fah admitted that the mainland flood might not match pre-pandemic growth rates.
