Bangkok(VNA) – Thailand’s Department of Tourism (DoT) isdesigning plans to promote itself as a friendly destination for Muslimtourists, local media reported.
The department and the private sector inBangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri and Phuket have held discussions on Islamictourism to seek measures to attract more high-end visitors from the MiddleEast.
According to Director of the DoT’s TouristAttractions Development Division Athuek Phrasenmoon, Muslim tourists are now amain target group for the global tourism industry due to this being thefastest-growing market with high spending power.
Athuek said Thailand saw 11.8 millioninternational arrivals last year, more than 400,000 of whom came from theMiddle East, up 65% compared to the same period in 2019. The total spending ofthis group also rose 71% from 2019.
The DoT said it wants to have a solid planin place to lure more Muslim tourists to the kingdom while also preparing localauthorities and people working in the service and hospitality industries tobetter understand their culture, behaviour and special needs, such as onlyconsuming halal food.
According to Athuek. the results of thefour discussions showed that Muslim tourists preferred Muslim-friendlydestinations such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Krabi. They also prefer hotels andrestaurants that have halal food and other facilities catering to their needs,like prayer rooms.
He said the private sector wants the DoT topromote tourism activities related to the Muslim calendar, such as offeringattractive campaigns after Ramadan - Islam's holiest month.
According to the MasterCard-CrescentRatingGlobal Muslim Travel Index 2022, Thailand ranks fourth on the list ofnon-Muslim countries that are popular among Muslim tourists, behind Malaysia,Singapore and the UK./.
The department and the private sector inBangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri and Phuket have held discussions on Islamictourism to seek measures to attract more high-end visitors from the MiddleEast.
According to Director of the DoT’s TouristAttractions Development Division Athuek Phrasenmoon, Muslim tourists are now amain target group for the global tourism industry due to this being thefastest-growing market with high spending power.
Athuek said Thailand saw 11.8 millioninternational arrivals last year, more than 400,000 of whom came from theMiddle East, up 65% compared to the same period in 2019. The total spending ofthis group also rose 71% from 2019.
The DoT said it wants to have a solid planin place to lure more Muslim tourists to the kingdom while also preparing localauthorities and people working in the service and hospitality industries tobetter understand their culture, behaviour and special needs, such as onlyconsuming halal food.
According to Athuek. the results of thefour discussions showed that Muslim tourists preferred Muslim-friendlydestinations such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Krabi. They also prefer hotels andrestaurants that have halal food and other facilities catering to their needs,like prayer rooms.
He said the private sector wants the DoT topromote tourism activities related to the Muslim calendar, such as offeringattractive campaigns after Ramadan - Islam's holiest month.
According to the MasterCard-CrescentRatingGlobal Muslim Travel Index 2022, Thailand ranks fourth on the list ofnon-Muslim countries that are popular among Muslim tourists, behind Malaysia,Singapore and the UK./.
VNA
