Thailand continues to lure Malaysians

Despite the drop in the Ringgit’s foreign currency exchange rate, Malaysians are flocking to Thailand in droves.

Thailand remains the favourite holiday destination last year and more Malaysians are taking air flights to Bangkok, according to statistics provided by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

“This is positive trend for us as many from the middle and upper income groups with ample spending power are flying into Thailand.

“A total of 3.3 million Malaysians visited Thailand last year compared to 2016 while a total of 9.8 million Chinese tourists visited Thailand.

“Malaysians are the second largest number of tourists visiting Thailand every year. The growth of Malaysian tourists is almost 15% compared to the previous year.

“Among their favourite destinations are Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Pattaya and other locations,” says Richard Lim, TAT Marketing Manager (Malaysia / Brunei) at a roadshow at the Cititel Penang in Penang. Present was Ahman Mad-adam, TAT Director (Malaysia / Brunei).

Lim says more Malaysian tourists are expected to visit Thailand this year.

Thai Airways will add two more flights daily from Penang to Bangkok, making it a total of four daily flights. Together with AirAsia’s 10 weekly flights, there is a total of 14 flights a week from Penang to Bangkok.

The TAT entourage is currently on their roadshow of several Malaysian cities namely Johor Baru, Penang, and Kuala Lumpur to promote their holiday destinations.

Among the group are 34 representatives from tour and travel operators and hoteliers from Thailand who met up with potential clients, tour operators and travel-related firms here.

Also present were TAT (Chief of ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific Marketing Development and Promotion Section) Pantara Nakchattre, TAT (Executive Director, ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific Region Department) Walailak Noypayak and TAT Public Relations Manager Chanatip Poti-on.