Travel agency business grows

BANGKOK Association of Thai Travel Agents’ member companies handled 3,627,261 travellers, January to July, this year, at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports representing a 12.67% increase from 3,219,462 trips during the same period last year.

ATTA released its data, Monday, based on fees member agencies pay to the airports to provide a meet-and-greet service for international clients. It is limited to travel through Bangkok’s two airports.

Association president, Charoen Wangananont, said travel remained positive although in July bookings slowed due to low-season trends. August is also a low-season month.

“Overall, travellers handled by member companies remained positive…China continues to be a major supplier, while Vietnam remains key driver in the ASEAN market.”

More convenient connections supports travel in the region and benefits the country, he said, adding it was essential to improve tourist safety and security to maintain sustainable growth.

He made the comments just days before the 12 August bomb attacks in seven provinces in Thailand. No group claimed responsibility for the attacks that killed four people and injured 35 including some European tourists.

January to July

For the first seven months of the year, China led the field with an improvement of 29.34% from 1,808,629 visits to 2,339,352 visits.

Neighbouring Vietnam ranked second with 155,644 visits increasing 11.92% from 139,070 visits during the same period last year.

The next top five markets were: Russia (134,944; -24.33%); India (118,755; +3.20%); and South Korea (96,606; +8.64%).

July: SWB performance

In July, there were 348,222 foreign tourists who used the services of association members at Suvarnabhumi Airport down 6.73% from 373,337 visits during the same month last year.

China was the top source in July with 175,031 visits down 13.22% from 201,686 visits.

Vietnam followed in second place with 32,768 visits, down 1.98% from 33,429 visits during the same month last year.

India ranked third with 17,684 visits decreasing 10.22% from 19,697 visits.

South Korea was in fourth place with 11,322 visits, down 1.22% from 11,462 visits, while Japan in fifth with 10,219 visits declined 11.78% from 11,583 visits.

The next top five markets in July were: the United Kingdom (9,672; +38.77%); Russia (8,319; +0.52%); Hong Kong (8,306; -16.33%); Taiwan (4,331; -38.90%); and Indonesia (3,375; +6.27%).

July: DMK performance

The association also reported there were 169,272 tourists who used member companies at Don Mueang Airport in July, this year, up 51.54% from 111,702 during the same month last year.

China also topped the arrivals at the second gateway recording 141,352 visits up 44.45% from 97,858 visits.

Vietnam was second with 12,340 visits up 496.14% from 2,070 visits during the same month last year.

Indonesia ranked third recording 6,568 visits, an increase of 61.81% from 4,059 visits.

Malaysia was fourth with 2,218 visits, down 24.07% from 2,921 while India in fifth with 1,624 visits increased 98.05% from 820 visits.

The next top five markets in July were: Japan (1,549; +49.37%); Iran (779; +100.00%); South Korea (633; -52.90%); Myanmar (425; +147.09%); and Taiwan (394; +405.13%).