Thai tourism ministry wants more flights

16 May 2016  2054 | Business & Trade Fairs

BANGKOK Ministry of Tourism and Sports has asked local airlines with head offices in Thailand to expand services to ASEAN countries and India.

Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul held talks with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and local airlines — Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Thai Smile and Thai AirAsia — on expanding networks.

Both Nok Air and Lion Air were not listed as present at the meeting, despite having extensive route networks in Thailand and plans to expand in neighbouring markets.

inside no 1“More flight connections will be needed to link Thailand with neighbouring countries particularly to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam to promote tourism under the ASEAN Connect project… to stimulate tourism using Thailand as a hub for the region,” claimed the minister.

She did not provide any data to support her recommendations, but airlines have their own research capabilities and conduct their own route development reports that identify future airline travel trends.

However, Thailand’s position as an aviation hub in the region is being eroded by expansion in Vietnam and the continued dominance of the Singapore gateway  (Changi), which is closer to Indonesia, ASEAN biggest potential tourism market.

But she also emphasised the need to add more routes to India destinations saying  she would hold further talks with TAT to create a marketing and promotions strategy.

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said TAT was asked to conduct studies on potential routes to boost tourism in the ASEAN region and India and provide more choices for travellers to visit Thailand.

“CLMV and India are potential markets and have an opportunity to grow…we consider flight connection between Siem Reap and Phuket and Hat Yai as well as connection between U-Tapao and India such as Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Kolkata,” he said.

TAT has explored 35 potential routes related to travel demand in Asia such as connecting Pattaya (U-Tapao) to Chennai, New Delhi and Mumbai in India, while in Mekong region (CLMV) focusing on Yangon-Phuket, Ho Chi Minh City-Chiang Mai, Ho Chi Minh City-U-Tapao and possibly Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Moreover, seven domestic routes are on the drawing board such as a Udon Thani link to Phuket and U-Tapao, Khon Kaen to Hat Yai, Ubon Ratchathani to Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai and Mae Sot-Bangkok.

The bottom-line is the airlines will introduce new flights if there is commercial demand and as long as fuel costs remain low. Due to the wafer thin profit margins in the business, airlines quickly review expansion once fuel prices rise.

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