Thailand restricts budget tour packages.

In the coming period, Thailand will actively promote high-quality tourism products and strengthen tourism linkages between Vietnam and Thailand.

Ms. Srisuda Wanapinyosak, Deputy Director-General of Thailand - TAT (responsible for promoting tourism in the Asia-Pacific market), affirmed that the country is aiming to build a high-quality tourism brand that provides maximum satisfaction for tourists.

Strictly control budget tour packages.

Ms. Srisuda stated that high-quality tourism does not necessarily mean high prices. Tourists can absolutely experience tourism services that are worth what they pay. The quality of a tour is judged based on the smiles of tourists and their feedback on hotel services, food, and transportation in Thailand.

In 2015, Thailand welcomed over 29.6 million foreign visitors, including more than 760,000 from Vietnam. 50% of foreign tourists decided to return to the country. Photo: My Phuong.

With budget tours, tourists may stay in 3-star hotels with unregulated service quality, or be taken to less attractive and unprofessional destinations by tour guides. However, with the goal of developing high-quality tourism, the Thai tourism industry conducts inspections and reviews to ensure that tours match the advertised quality. In addition, restaurant and hotel staff receive training in foreign languages ​​as well as basic knowledge of culture and tourism.

Thailand also has a campaign to raise awareness and knowledge about heritage and environmental protection among tourists, through the erection of signs, guides, and promotional materials placed around tourist areas.

Strengthening tourism linkages between Vietnam and Thailand, and regional linkages.

Over the past 10 years, Thailand has been developing bilateral tourism with many countries, including Vietnam. The tourism boards of both countries are working together to bring journalists from Europe to visit famous tourist destinations. On the Thai side, at the end of September, TAT will organize a tour and survey trip for journalists and reporters from the United States.

In 2017, TAT will also collaborate with leading Vietnamese travel companies to offer high-quality tourism products for families and office workers at new destinations such as Hua Hin, Phuket, Khao Yai, and Chiang Mai for Vietnamese tourists.

More and more airlines are operating direct flights from Vietnamese cities to Thailand and vice versa, such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Da Nang, Vinh, and Nha Trang to Bangkok. Vietjet Air is expected to launch a direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Phuket (Thailand) and vice versa by the end of this year.

TAT is also working to strengthen regional tourism development. Currently, Thailand is promoting the development of land and air tourism with ASEAN countries. Flight routes between Vietnam and Thailand and vice versa will both increase tourist exchange between the two countries and facilitate travel for tourists from third countries who wish to move between countries in the region.

Regarding concerns expressed by many tourists about recent instability in Thailand, Ms. Srisuda Wanapinyosak stated that TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) always provides accurate and timely information through social media to build trust with tourists. In addition, the Thai government has installed more security cameras at tourist hotspots and deployed more plainclothes police officers to detect suspicious cases.

"That's why tourists return to Thailand so quickly after the unrest," said Srisuda.

According to VNE