Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is expanding its relationship and connectivity with markets in the Middle East, thanks to a number partnerships announced by the government agency. This includes a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with Dubai carrier Emirates, and a range of new flights connecting Thailand’s favourite destinations to Saudi Arabia.
Under the MoC, Emirates has agreed to support the development of Thai tourism, by showcasing the Land of Smiles to customers across its global network. With various agents in strategic markets around the world, Emirates is expected to help leverage a wealth of support for Thai tourism in the months ahead. This relationship will involve a series of familiarisation trips and promotional campaigns.
“This Memorandum of Cooperation will pave the way for strategic tourism collaboration efforts between TAT and Emirates,” says Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor. “TAT will assist Emirates in developing airline passenger traffic from key strategy markets by supporting tour operators and travel agents in agreed target markets across the Emirates network with promotional giveaways, special promotional packages, incentives and marketing spend,” he added.
Emirates currently offers two daily services to Bangkok, with 11 flights departing to Phuket every week. The MoC represents a chance to boost these numbers. “We are delighted to join hands with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to boost tourism to the country, and build on the success achieved over the years,” said Orhan Abbas, Emirates’ senior vice president of commercial operations – Far East. He went on to explain that, since the carrier commenced operations to Thailand in 1990, Thai destinations have consistently been the most popular in its Southeast Asian network, “especially amongst holidaymakers from the US, Europe, and the Middle East,” he added.
In more good news for Thailand, the kingdom recently welcomed the maiden flight from Saudia Airlines, which arrived from Riyadh, Saudia Arabia. Touching down in Bangkok, the 298-seat Boeing 789 aircraft became the first regular commercial flight between the two kingdoms since 1990. Saudia will operate on the new Riyadh-Bangkok route with three flights every week, arriving on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Flight 846 will arrive in Bangkok at 18:05, while the return trip (Flight 847) will depart at 20:35.
In addition to the MoC with Emirates, in February, Thailand also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Tourism Authority, in a bid to expand inbound tourism into the kingdom. With these powerful partners in its corner, Thailand is looking forward to many more Middle Eastern arrivals in the months ahead.
