Tourism Authority tries to boost female tourism

PHUKET: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is launching a special campaign in August, to attract local and international female travellers to enjoy the kingdom’s many attractions, with a wide range of activities, special offers, discounts and privileges.

“We’ve designated August 2016 as a ‘month for women travellers’, in honor of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s 84th birthday,” says TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn. “We hope to encourage the growth of the global and domestic female traveller segment in conjunction with our strategy to promote Thailand as a quality leisure destination.”

“Increasingly, women are coming to Thailand in groups or as solo travellers, and expect to find activities and attractions geared to their needs,” Mr Yuthasak says. “This campaign will show them that Thailand can cater to them and offer an experience like nowhere else.”

“When it comes to planning holidays, it’s often the women in the family making the main decisions,” says Juthaporn Rerngronasa, TAT deputy governor for International Marketing. “The increasing global income of women has coincided with the growth of female arrivals to Thailand, averaging 11.4 per cent from 2007-2014.”

“Research has shown that women travellers enjoy visiting the beach, benefiting from Thailand’s amazing spa opportunities and trying Thai food, but they are perhaps more concerned with safety and privacy than male travellers.

“With this in mind, the TAT is joining forces with airlines, hotels, resorts, spas and tour operators to arrange activities and offer special discounts and privileges.”

“In order to promote this initiative and inspire female travellers to come to Thailand, the TAT has come up with five different promotional concepts: Beautiful Look, Beautiful Shape, Beautiful Mind, Beautiful Retreat, and Beautiful Experience, which are all designed to meet the varied needs of women travellers and to boost Thai tourism products and services that are geared toward female travellers.” says Srisuda Wanapinyosak, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing Asia and South Pacific.

The incentives offered during the campaign include the Lady Golf Challenge, Lady Celebrities to Thailand, Thailand through Her Eyes, 84 Perspectives of Thailand, Lady in Thai Fabric, Lady Products Showcase as well as a Women’s Journey application.

Other special arrangements are being provided to female travellers, including special immigration lanes, parking spots and airfare discounts.