Thai agents make gains

BANGKOK, 14 August 2012: Association of Thai Travel Agents’ member companies handled 1,891,592 international tourists at Suvarnabhumi Airport in the first seven months of 2012 representing an increase of 6.90% from 1,769,421 visits during the same period last year.

ATTA released its data, late last week, based on fees member agencies pay to the airport to provide a meet-and-greet service for international clients. It is considered an accurate barometer for the tourism industry but is limited to travel through Bangkok.

For January to July this year, China continued to be Thailand’s strongest supplier with 533,375 trips increasing 41.68% from 376,458 trips during the same period in 2011.

Russia followed in second place with 262,704 trips, but there was a slight decline of 2.64% from 269,821 trips.

India ranked third and supplied 151,929 trips increasing 1.25% from 150,053 trips.

Neighbouring Vietnam followed in fourth place with 112,043 trips improving 47.97% from 75,722 trips during the same period last year.

Japan in fifth place supplied 104,121 trips, an increase of 4.57% from 99,572 trips.

The next top five suppliers in the first seven months of 2012 were: South Korea (99,763; -24.80%); Taiwan (56,937; -43.56%); Hong Kong (53,593; -5.03%); Indonesia (46,794; +9.19%); and the United Kingdom (42,742; +10.36%).

In July, ATTA confirmed an improvement of 7.59% from 284,360 trips compared to 264,306 trips during the same month in 2011.

China led the field with 89,035 trips increasing 40.90% from 63,190 trips during the same month last year.

Vietnam followed in second place with an improvement of 43.94% to 33,286 trips compared to 23,125 trips.

Although showing a decline of 13.25%, India ranked in third with 20,559 trips against 23,700 trips in 2011.

Russia in fourth supplied 16,977 trips, down 9.54% from 18,767 trips. Japan in fifth place supported 16,366 trips increasing 26.07% from 12,982 trips during the same month last year.

The next top five markets in July were: South Korea (14,384; -30.54%); Hong Kong (12,283; -0.04%); Taiwan (11,221; -33.62%); UK (6,146; +3.57%); and Indonesia (5,067; -20.80%).

sourced: ttrweekly