Thailand Goes after Indian Wedding Market to Boost Tourism Revenues
Looking to bolster its tourism industry, Thailand is aiming its sights on wealthy groups, such as Indian wedding societies and tourists, claimed a high-ranking tourism official.
Famed for its white sand beaches and vibrant nightlife, Thailand hopes to capture the "untapped demand" in the billion-dollar Indian wedding sector, said Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, deputy director-general of the Thai Tourism Authority, during a recent interview with Reuters.
Data from the past two years reveals that many Indian couples have tied the knot, but have struggled to find a location for their honeymoon or weddings, leading them to postpone their celebrations, or move them abroad, such as to Thailand, stated Cheawsamoot on Tuesday.
From January to August 2022, foreign tourism revenues totaled 186 billion Baht (5 billion USD), with 4.2 million tourists, a number expected to reach 10 million this year.
The Southeast Asian country heavily relies on tourism as a key driver of economic growth. The number of foreign tourists dropped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, down to 428,000, compared to nearly 40 million arrivals in 2019, a time when tourism contributed 12% to the gross domestic product.
With most pandemic-related restrictions now lifted, the government aims to generate 11 billion USD in revenues during the second half of 2022.
An Indian wedding in Thailand can span up to a week and includes everything from event planning to catering, decorations, and transportation.
Around 60% of Indian weddings in Thailand are organized by Indian residents, with the remaining 40% by Indian families residing abroad. As a result, Thai tourism representatives are building partnerships with Indian wedding planners in Mumbai and New Delhi, said Cheawsamoot.
He anticipates that tourists this year will spend at least 48,000 Baht (1,400 USD) per trip, and hopes this figure will increase to 50,000 Baht (1,550 USD) by 2023, aided by other high-spending sectors such as medical tourism and remote working opportunities in Thailand.
Furthermore, the government is planning to extend the validity of certain tourist visas from 15 to 30 days from October, as travel behavior shifts to longer stays due to more expensive flights and reduced availability.
Additional Insights
Thailand is strategically targeting the Indian wedding market to boost its tourism revenues through a combination of marketing initiatives and tailored packages. Key strategies include:
- Tailored marketing campaigns
- Showcasing diverse destinations
- Business-to-business (B2B) collaborations
- Enhancing cultural and culinary experiences
- Strategic partnerships
By implementing these strategies, Thailand aims to attract a substantial number of Indian tourists, including those planning weddings and celebrations, thereby increasing its tourism revenues.
Sources:
- [2] Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) data and announcements.
