KOCHI: At a time when Kerala is holding tourism campaigns across overseas destinations to woo tourists, Thailand is doing the same on the streets of Kerala to cash in on the rise in the number of Malayalees visiting that part of the world.
On Monday, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) conducted its first ‘Amazing Thailand’ roadshow in Kochi. The event witnessed around 80 key members of the city's travel trade in a bid to bridge connections between local travel agents and destination management companies, hotels and attractions operators in Thailand.
A delegation of 30 companies from Thailand took part in the roadshow initiated by TAT. These companies are expected to help travel agents design and deliver Thailand products for the new-age traveller from Kochi.
"Our arrival figures from India have gone up by 15 per cent in the first half of 2017," said Sriporn Bhekanandana, deputy executive director, ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific region.
"We expect revenue from the India market to increase by 14 per cent this year. Ever since we launched direct flights from Kochi in 2016, we have seen a significant rise in footfalls and we are certain this will continue to grow."
Tourism Authority of Thailand director Soraya Homchuen said, “Being one of the significant markets, Kochi has contributed in a large way towards the rise in the number of travellers from India.Recently, we have also seen the wedding segment picking up along with family and women travellers from the city."
"To encourage these segments, TAT has introduced attractive offers and has created special mobile applications like ‘Family Fun’ and ‘Women’s Journey," she said.