Thailand and partners encourage visitors to experience Thailand at Arabian Travel Market

Today at the new Grand Hyatt Hotel in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, Thai Airways International’s President, Mr. Tasnai Sudasna na Ayudhaya, THAI’s Executive Vice President for Commercial, and Mr. Tassna Wongrat, the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Director for Marketing in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, jointly held a press conference encouraging international travelers to experience tourism in Thailand.

During the conference, clarification was made about the country Thailand and THAI’s stringent SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) preventive measures. The press conference also included a special tourism program and announcement of the Thai vision about the Arabian Travel Mart (ATM), which is now being held in Dubai between 6-9 May 2003.

Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI’s President, said that the World Health Organization (WHO) had given its assurances that Thailand does not have any local transmissions of SARS, as evident from the ASEAN Summit on SARS that was recently held in Thailand on 29 April 2003 and was attended by ASEAN nations’ head of state. As a result of the summit, it was concluded that all ASEAN countries would join together in a cooperative effort in the public health battle against the SARS disease. The nation of Thailand and THAI has implemented indepth, stringent SARS preventive measures, boosting tourist confidence in traveling to Thailand. 

In addition, Mr. Tasnai Sudasna na Ayudhaya, THAI’s Executive Vice President for Commercial, said that the Middle East market, ranging from tourism and labor-intensive industries, is one that holds much promise for continual growth. As well, the forthcoming months of June and July are considered travel and tourism periods in the Middle East, which is why THAI extends an invitation for tourists to travel to and experience tourism in Thailand. THAI introduced international travelers attending the ATM to THAI’s special tour packages, those being various Royal Orchid Holidays packages such as golf and spas, air tickets, hotel reservations, transportation to and from the hotel and airport, and interesting tourist destinations in Thailand.

It is anticipated that THAI’s booth exhibition, introduction of tourist destinations in Thailand, and clarification about the SARS situation in Thailand, will successfully aid in boosting the Thai travel and tourism industry’s profitability that affects airlines, tourism, and hotels.

Approximately 130 countries were represented from the international tourism industry at this year’s ATM. Thailand’s participation will be highly represented in the area of hotel, tourism, and airline businesses. As the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Thailand, THAI will hold an exhibition booth at the ATM and serves as Thai cultural ambassador in welcoming international travelers, making Thailand better known by tourists worldwide.