Thailand is losing more and more tourists to its neighbors

At a meeting of foreign tourism analysts at Thailand's Thailand Travel Mart Plus in Chiang Mai on Friday, tourism industry experts said Thailand is losing more and more tourists to neighboring countries due to increased air traffic and new travel opportunities in the region. Numerous foreign tourists take advantage of the opportunities offered and now fly directly to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV).

Thanks to the expanded and better access to air traffic, the interest of travelers in the Mekong region is growing. It has blossomed into a rapidly developing region last year, say foreign tourism experts at the Thailand Travel Mart Plus in Chiang Mai.

Numerous low-cost carriers and full-service airlines from India, Singapore, Malaysia, the Middle East and China have taken up their new routes and increased flights to many regional destinations. They are responding to the ever-increasing market demands of customers and thus want to meet the wishes of foreign customers.

Tourism analysts from the Mekong region also said that Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) is becoming a more attractive and attractive destination due to better accessibility by air and improved infrastructure for water and land transport.

Local authorities are working together to define specific brand identities to further promote travel to the region.

• Cambodia is known for its cultural heritage such as the Angkor, Roluos and Banteay Srei Archaeological Parks, the well-known Preah Vihear Temple, a Khmer Hindu Temple from the 10th to 12th centuries and the temple complex of Sambor Prei Kuk, an ancient Ishanapura archeological site known.
• Myanmar attracts visitors with its local experiences.
• Laos thrilled many foreign visitors by offering its self-drive tours.
• Vietnam trumps in the field of luxury cruises.
• And Thailand attracts tourists with its lively metropolises and its gastronomic experiences.

Tour guides, buyers in the travel market and tour specialists who specialize mainly in the Indian market explain as just one example that the Indian tourists have been visiting Bangkok and Pattaya for years. Meanwhile, they are increasingly considering direct flights and traveling to Krabi, Hua Hin and Chiang Mai. It is expected that in the future, more and more Indian travelers will flock to the other countries of the region, as more seats are available in the aircraft.

"Traveling from India to Thailand and the Mekong region is now 50% cheaper than to Singapore or Europe," said Vikrant Bhardwaj, a manager of Trans Destinations in northern India.

The top destinations for Indian tourists are Thailand, the Middle East, Europe, Singapore and Malaysia, he added.

But not only for the Indians but also for the European market, traveling to the Mekong region is becoming more and more popular as these travelers also love the local culture and adventure activities such as hiking and river cruises in the region.

Bartosz Gosztyla from Poland's Super Tramp Adventure and Travel said that Polish tourists usually come to this region from October to April and from July to August to eat, meet nice people, and enjoy the unique culture and culture to enjoy the offered events.

"I have more than 40 appointments with sellers in Southeast Asia alone during this Thailand Travel Mart Plus event in Chiang Mai," Gosztyla said.

Ms. Duanratchada Chimphalee, Mekong Cruise's Sales and Marketing Director, also said she is currently working to promote not only the Mekong River cruises on offer, but also many other Laos attractions in international markets.

There is a growing market for experiences of tourists from France, Germany and Switzerland. But new customers from India, South Korea, Brazil, the Middle East and mainland China are also promising markets that are welcome everywhere, she continued.

Sources: Thailand Tip, Pattaya One News, Travel Blog