Japan still a top travel market

05 Nov 2013  2038 | World Travel News

Japan continues to deliver big numbers for Thailand’s tourism industry as a major source of bookings alongside China and Korea, ATTA’s secretary told members in his monthly travel assessment report.
Association of Thai Travel Agents secretary, Charoen Wangananont, reported at the association’s meeting late last week that Japan was positioned in the top tourism delivery markets that are often tagged ASEAN + 3 (Japan, China and South Korea).
Japan is one of Thailand’s oldest tourism markets dating back to the 60s well ahead of Korea and China. It was largely driven by trans-Pacific airlines that linked the USA and Hawaii with Japan and Southeast Asian cities. They offered cheap flights out of Tokyo to Bangkok to supplement revenue on the tran-Pacific, but it supported the growth of tourism.
“Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka are now the three key markets in Japan for Thai tour operators to tap,” the ATTA secretary reported.
Tourism Authority of Thailand Tokyo office director, Nittaya Aumbhitaya, said Japanese tourist arrivals to Thailand posted positive growth since 2007.
“The director added: “According to the Japan National Tourism Organisation, Thailand ranked sixth of all popular destinations after China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Hawaii.”
“In Thailand, Bangkok and nearby provinces remain the main destinations for Japanese travellers followed by Phuket, Samui, Krabi, Khao Lak in Phang Nga and Chiang Mai.”
Only 30% of all trips are organised by travel agents with the bulk of the bookings made directly by Japanese travellers.
In December, THAI Airways will launch a direct three weekly service, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday , between Bangkok and Sendai.
Last year, 18 million Japanese travelled overseas, up 13% from 16 million in 2011. Thailand gets on average 1.4 to 1.5 million trips. This year, it should top 1.5 million up 12% from 1.34 million in 2012.

Sourced: ttrweekly

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