TravTalk India Online Magazine
Focused on maintaining and promoting Thailand as a preferred destination among Indian travellers, the India offices of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) are taking numerous measures to rebuild consumer confidence.
Manas Dwivedi
In an exclusive conversation with TRAVTALK, Directors of TAT India offices share details about the measures they are taking, shift in the marketing and promotional strategy, and their vision for the Indian market. On the kind of steps TAT is taking to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on tourism, Cholada Siddhivarn, Director, TAT Mumbai – South and West India, said that when the situation improves, tourism will revive under new preventive disease control measures that will stay in place until a vaccine is approved. “We are following the ‘BEST’ approach for the new normal of Thai tourism under the supervision of public health. Under BEST, we will focus on ‘Booking’ (in advance), ‘Environmental’ (enthusiasts), ‘Safety’ (comes first) and ‘Technology’ (enhanced tourist experiences). BEST practices for tourism workers and visitors include digital technology to help track and trace,” she said.
On measures to rebuild consumer confidence and travellers’ safety in Thailand, Vachirachai Sirisumpan, Director, TAT New Delhi – North and East India, said, “For the current COVID-19 situation in Thailand, I can say that it has improved and is in stable stage in controlling the pandemic within the country. With the recent launch of ‘Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration’ or SHA certification, the aim is to make tourism a part of overall national preventive measures and ensure that both Thai and foreign tourists have a positive experience, and that they are happy and confident in the sanitation and safety of tourism products and services.”
New travel guidelines
On change in visa process for Indian citizens travelling to Thailand and whether they will need a COVID-19 negative certificate, Siddhivarn said, “Currently, visa on arrival (VOA) is suspended till September 30, 2020. This applies to all countries/territories that had earlier been entitled to apply for VOA. In addition, VFS for Thailand visa application in India is still closed until further notice. Currently, only 11 groups of Thai and foreign nationals are allowed to enter Thailand with ‘Certificate of Entry’ from a Thai Embassy or consulate overseas.” Sirisumpan added that currently, non-Thais who plan to enter Thailand need a health insurance policy covering treatment and medical expenses related to COVID-19, with a minimum coverage of US$100,000.
Connecting with India
When asked about TAT’s marketing and promotional strategy for the India market and will there be a possible switch in the approach, Siddhivarn said, “TAT India offices are focusing on maintaining and promoting Thailand as a preferred destination for all Indian travellers. Since the start of the lockdown in India and with travel restrictions applied in many countries, we have continued to communicate with our travel trade partners as well as consumers directly, to enhance Thailand as a top-of-mind destination. Indian millennial travellers will be the focus for this year and the next; niche markets will be explored for new marketing tactics and promotions.”
Sirisumpan added that the Indian market is very important and continues to be so for Thailand. “Everyone knows and believes that once travel and tourism is permitted, India will be one of the key markets to bounce back quickly. However, we need to monitor and evaluate the situation and its impact on the travel industry,” he said.
#TogetherThailand campaign
“We are overwhelmed with the response to the ‘Amazing Beaches in Thailand’ theme and received more than 160 registrations in the first week of the campaign with an engagement from the travel trade of over 2,700. I would like to congratulate all the winners who have shared their memories with Amazing Thailand by creating some beautiful pictures, GIFs, videos and made Thailand a top-of-the-mind destination. I would like to thank you for good response and participation, and would invite our travel trade friends to join the campaign running this whole month of August.” – Vachirachai Sirisumpan
