Thailand is the top dream destination for Southeast Asian tourists.

Chantsuda Thananitayaudom, Senior Director of Commerce and Marketing at Grab Thailand, said that Southeast Asian tourists are one of Thailand’s most important markets, contributing significantly to the country’s tourism industry each year. Last year, Thailand welcomed more than 10.6 million visitors from Southeast Asia, accounting for 30% of total international arrivals.

According to Grab’s survey of users in six countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand) and responses from 11,074 participants, 81% of them said they plan to travel internationally, up from 72% last year; more than half (52%) preferred destinations in Southeast Asia, followed by East Asia (44%, including China, Japan and South Korea).

Thailand ranked as the most popular destination, followed by Singapore and Malaysia, thanks to its natural attractions and cultural appeal. The Thai government has promoted “soft power” through events such as music festivals, concerts, food festivals and traditional celebrations such as Songkran in April and Loy Krathong, usually in November.

Grab’s survey also revealed a picture of the travel behaviors and trends of digital travelers in Southeast Asia. Specifically, 86% of travelers are likely to use new technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence (AI) for travel-related activities, including gathering travel information, previewing destinations, comparing prices, and planning itineraries.

Another trend is that more and more people are planning their trips independently. 81% of respondents said they prefer to plan their own trips, and nearly two-thirds book their own flights, accommodation, and attractions. Only about 18% still choose package tours to save time.

According to the survey results, tourists also prioritize sustainability in tourism activities. 45% always choose to use environmentally friendly means of transport, reduce plastic consumption, support local businesses or communities. In addition, 78% of opinions are willing to pay insurance premiums for businesses with sustainable operations.

BA (according to Tin Tuc Newspaper)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/thailand-la-diem-den-mo-uoc-hang-dau-cua-du-khach-dong-nam-a-403623.html