Tourism tie-up with Thailand

November 19 – The tourism council of Bhutan (TCB) and the tourism authority of Thailand (TAT) are in talks to increase the flow of tourists between the two countries.

TAT director, Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, said that the two authorities recently held a meeting in Thimphu to deliberate areas of collaboration.

The first step towards establishing collaboration will be the formation of a ‘working committee’, according to officials of both authorities. The committee will consist of representatives from the two governments and the private sector and hold regular meetings to exchange ideas and formulate marketing strategies, towards increasing tourist traffic between Bhutan and Thailand.

A TCB official said the working committee would be formed only some time next year, as both authorities are currently identifying members for the joint group.

However, TAT director, Chattan, said that the Thai authority is ready to move ahead, “the longer we wait, the likelier nothing will happen.”

“You can expect a big supply of tourists from Thailand,” said the TAT director, adding that, “Thai people want to come to Bhutan, despite the high costs associated with it.” The TAT director explained that “Bhutan is a unique country, and it isn’t a mass tourist destination, so people will be willing to pay for that opportunity.”

On whether Bhutan represented a significant market for TAT, the director said that analysis by his organisation shows that the Bhutanese market segment visiting Thailand is “high end.” The director pointed out, “We want, like Bhutan, high quality visitors, who spend a lot of time in Thailand.” He added that the medical tourism segment is one sector that could be further developed.

TCB will not only be looking at the Thai domestic market but also into “tapping into” the Thai international tourist market. “We also want to attract tourists, who visit Thailand,” said a TCB official. According to World Tourism Organisation statistics, Thailand received more than 14m tourists in 2007. TCB will also be looking to receive support in the service and hospitality sector from TAT.

“Bhutan is a big hit. It has a fantastic reputation in Thailand, especially since His Majesty the fifth King’s visit,” said the TAT director, “and its popularity will only grow.”

source: kuensel