The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) extends a warm welcome to Indian visitors embarking on Air India’s inaugural flights connecting Delhi to Phuket. The direct route, initiated on December 15, 2023, is anticipated to significantly elevate Thailand’s standing in the eyes of Indian travellers.
A special reception orchestrated by TAT is underway to celebrate the maiden voyage of Air India on the Delhi-Phuket route. Dignitaries including Sophon Suwannarat, Governor of Phuket Province, and Patsee Permvongsenee, TAT Executive Director of ASEAN, South Asia, and South Pacific Region, are gracing the event. Executives from both public and private sectors in the region are joining forces to warmly welcome the arrival of Air India‘s inaugural flight AI378, marking a direct journey from New Delhi, India, to Phuket International Airport, Thailand.
Governor Sophon Suwannarat expresses his enthusiasm for the commencement of direct flights from New Delhi to Phuket, seeing it as a tremendous opportunity for Phuket to showcase its allure and preparedness as a sought-after destination. The province is actively targeting Indian tourists, recognizing them as a significant market, and has enhanced its appeal by aligning with Visa Exemption measures for streamlined travel convenience.
This strategic move coincides with Phuket’s peak tourist season, where stunning sandy beaches, coupled with new and exciting tourism offerings such as the Carnival Magic theme park, Andamanda Water Park, and the Aquaria Aquarium, are poised to captivate Indian travellers. The province is committed to extending a warm and hospitable Thai welcome, ensuring an unforgettable experience for Indian tourists.
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Patsee Permvongsenee, TAT Executive Director of ASEAN, South Asia, and South Pacific Region, emphasizes that the newly established direct flight route from New Delhi to Phuket operated by Air India will significantly enhance the travel experience for Indian tourists. This initiative aims to streamline the journey to Phuket, ensuring a smooth and disruption-free travel experience. The introduction of this route aligns with the government’s decision to waive visa stamping requirements for Indian tourists, a measure in effect from November 10, 2023, to May 10, 2024.
Since the implementation of the visa stamping exemption policy, there has been a notable increase in the daily influx of Indian tourists to Thailand, rising from 4,000 to 5,000–5,500. This positive trend underscores the effectiveness of the exemption measures in stimulating travel and tourism from India to Thailand.
Thailand has welcomed over 1.5 million Indian tourists, surpassing the initially set target. The positive trends observed in the Indian government’s “Connect India to the World” policy, designed to encourage citizen travel and boost the Indian economy, have contributed to this success.
TAT’s New Delhi and Mumbai offices have accelerated initiatives to invigorate the market in collaboration with regional partners, focusing on large corporations in sectors such as incentive travel, golf enthusiasts, and wedding and honeymoon groups, all recognized for their high potential. These efforts aim to enhance awareness and position Thailand as a preferred destination, particularly for Indian weddings.
Air India’s direct flights on the New Delhi-Phuket route, inaugurated on December 15, 2023, with a schedule of four flights per week, have significantly increased the seating capacity to 2,438,043 seats, representing a recovery rate of 77 percent compared to the year 2022.
From January 1 to December 10, 2023, Thailand has welcomed 1,506,287 Indian tourists. On average, each tourist spends approximately THB39,500 per trip. The majority of visitors are independent travellers (FIT), constituting 75 percent of the total. The top 5 most favoured destinations in Thailand during this period are Bangkok, Chon Buri, Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga. Popular activities among Indian tourists include savouring Thai cuisine, experiencing nightlife, engaging in beach activities, and indulging in massage and spa services.
TAT is actively promoting key tourist segments with high potential, such as families, millennials, health and wellness enthusiasts, wedding and honeymoon groups, and golfers. Anticipating continued growth, it is expected that by the end of 2023, the Indian tourism market will contribute to a total tourism revenue exceeding THB65.6 billion.
