Even more South Africans choose Thailand

SOUTH African travel to
Thailand has grown 18% year
on year, says the Tourism
Authority of Thailand.
 The authority reports that
93 216 passengers travelled
between January and
December 2017, compared
with 78 943 the previous year.
“We are very excited at this
increase in tourists… It proves
that Thailand continues to
offer South Africans not only
value for money, but that
its structure is sufficiently
efficient to get around and
explore different areas,” says
Lesley Simpson, marketing
representative for the Tourism
Authority of Thailand SA, and
md of LSC.
TAT is currently running an
‘Open to the New Shades of
Thailand’ campaign to inspire
repeat visits, encouraging
visitors to discover the country
from a new perspective.
Themes include gastronomy,
nature and beach, arts and
crafts, culture and way of life.
The campaign is focused
on the luxury, wedding and
honeymoon, female, family and
generation Y market segments.
Lesley says TAT SA has also
identified further potential for
growth in the LGBT and groups
markets. 2018 has also been
nominated as Thailand’s year
of gastronomy.
Canvassed operators are
optimistic that further growth
from South Africa can still be
achieved.
They report that, while the
majority of their bookings still
focus on Phuket, areas such
as Khao Lak and Krabi have
shown strong growth in the
last year.
Wendy Goutier, product
manager at kulula holidays
says while Phuket still
dominates, kulula holidays has
noticed a recent increase in
consumer awareness about
Phi Phi, Koh Tao and Kho
Phangan.
Giles Clinton, director of
Checkout Tours, says while
first-time travellers tend to visit
Phuket, they are also more
adventurous about visiting
other destinations in Thailand
from there.
Shona Pittaway, md of
Perfect Destinations, says
she has seen an increase in
previously niche areas such
as Bangtao, Kamala and Koh
Yao Yai, and says the operator
has expanded its Thailand
product range.
Marilyn Padiachy, product
manager for Thailand at The
Holiday Factory, and Wendy
have both seen positive growth
in family travel.