Thailand Tourism launches new drive to attract Lankan...
„Lankan visitors to Thailand on declining trend „Visa process identified as a major hindrance „ More returning travellers than new travellers „
The Thailand Tourism Authority (TAT) recently announced its fresh drive to increase the number of Sri Lankan tourists to that country, given that the visits have been on a declining trend in the recent years.
To push the ‘Amazing Thailand’ campaign in the island nation, the TAT has partnered with the destination management company United Ventures, which will act as the public relations and marketing representative for the TAT in Sri Lanka.
Acknowledging the issuing of visas to Thailand continues to be a hurdle that is yet to be properly addressed, visiting TAT Director (Mumbai Office) Cholanda Siddhivarn said efforts are being made to trim the existing red tape.
“Following the repeated concerns expressed by Sri Lankan agents, we have put forward the situation to the Thailand ambassador for some solution. Although efforts are being made, I have no good news on this as of now,” said Siddhivarn, while addressing a group of travel agents in Colombo on Wednesday.
According to local travel agents, since outsourcing the Thailand visa process to a third party, Sri Lankan travellers are faced with delays in obtaining the required travel documents.
They said submission of relevant documents and securing an appointment for the same are only few of the hiccups. While there has been an increase in the visa fee, the duration to obtain visas has also lengthened.
Thailand recently announced making available of e-visas for selected countries but Sri Lanka is not included in the list.
Nevertheless, determined to increase the number of visitors, the TAT’S new strategy is much about promoting new destinations and experiences within that country.
While Thailand is mostly known for Bangkok, Phuket and Pataya, the country has now added Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi and Hua Hin to its promotion drive.
With regard to experiences, the Marvel Experience is one of Thailand’s newest additions among several others.
According to Siddhivarn, the new focus on ‘beyond Bangkok’ is formulated as Thailand has identified that it welcomes a large proportion of ‘returning visitors’ as opposed to ‘new visitors’ from Sri Lanka.