Phuket targets Brazil as tourism source market

PHUKET: Brazilians are among the latest target group of tourists to be lured to Phuket and the Andaman region.

Speaking yesterday at a press conference for the Andaman Travel Trade 2011 exhibition, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing Juthaporn Rerngronasa highlighted the South American country as an expanding market for incoming tourism.

“There will be 10 operators from Brazil to join this year’s event on November 25-26,” she said, noting that the fair will host 302 tourism operators in addition to 20 media representatives from 28 countries worldwide.

Ms Juthaporn explained that the 320 operators will be trading with 160 operators representing the six Andaman provinces: Phuket, Phang Nga, Ranong, Krabi, Trang and Satun.

“Brazil is part of BRIC – Brazil, Russia, India and China. With 200 million people, Brazil has a large population and good-quality economy,” she said.

“Just last month we held a road show in Brazil. We see an opportunity for bringing them here. Since Brazil is quite a distance from Thailand, each time they come, they will stay long and spend more money,” she explained.

“Last year, about 20,000 Brazilian tourists visited Thailand, and their destinations of choice were Phuket, Bangkok and Pattaya.”

Ms Juthaporn added that the TAT expects the number of Brazilian tourists visiting Thailand to grow by 20 per cent this year.

Organized by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) and the Phuket Tourist Association (PTA), this year’s Andaman Travel Trade exhibition will be held at the auditorium hall of Phuket Rajabhat University.

This will be the fifth edition of the trade fair, which is held once every two years.

The TAT is spending 18 million baht on hosting the tourism representatives, who will also be participating in the Chiang Mai Tourism Forum on November 22-23, before coming to Phuket.

— Pimwara Choksakulpan