Boosting the Thai tourist market.

Khanh Hoa's tourism industry is stepping up its promotional efforts to attract Thai tourists through various practical activities. Recently, a Thai tourism famtrip delegation visited to survey and explore cooperation opportunities with the locality, an activity that opens up many positive prospects.

Strengthening connections and promoting marketing.

Thailand has a population of nearly 72 million people and an average per capita income of approximately US$7,000. With many competitive advantages compared to other destinations in the region, such as: close geographical distance (only about 2 hours flight); Thai citizens are visa-exempt in Vietnam, etc. , Thailand is identified as a very potential tourism market for Vietnam. To promote tourism and attract Thai tourists, in 2024, the province organized a working delegation to visit and work with leaders of Bangkok, Pattaya, and Chonburi province to promote cooperation in tourism development. In particular, the province organized the Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Tourism Promotion Conference in Bangkok, attracting the attention and participation of hundreds of Thai travel businesses and media agencies. These activities have initially yielded positive results. According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Thailand is currently the country with the highest number of visitors to Khanh Hoa in Southeast Asia, with approximately 22,500 visitors expected to come to the province in 2025.

Leaders of Cam Ranh International Airport Joint Stock Company welcome Thai tourists to Khanh Hoa .

Recently, the Khanh Hoa Tourism Association, in collaboration with Vietjet Airlines, welcomed a famtrip delegation from Thailand consisting of 32 members, including representatives from travel companies, journalists, and travel bloggers, to survey tourist destinations. Over three days, the delegation visited famous tourist attractions such as: the Po Nagar Cham Towers, Nha Trang Cathedral, Long Son Pagoda, Dam Market, I-Resort hot spring park, Nha Trang Bay, the night market, the Nha Trang Opera House, and watched the Chum Show. They also explored the traditional craft villages of Nha Trang – a new cultural destination. During this trip, the delegation also met with local tourism businesses to discuss cooperation opportunities; many unique tourism products were introduced, such as Nha Trang Bay cruise tours; high-end resort services in Bai Dai and Ninh Van; and local cultural experiences. Mr. Pham Minh Nhut, Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Tourism Association, said: "The Thai market is one of the potential markets. Welcoming this famtrip delegation is an opportunity for local tourism to promote destinations, connect businesses, and aim to build tourism programs that suit the tastes of Thai tourists."

The Thai famtrip delegation highly appreciated Khanh Hoa's tourism products and services. Ms. Chalathip Thirasoonthrakul, a member of the famtrip delegation, shared: "I find Nha Trang very beautiful. It not only has stunning beaches but also many unique cultural and historical relics such as the Po Nagar Cham Towers and the Cathedral... The entertainment and recreational services are also diverse and high-quality." On her fifth visit to Khanh Hoa, Ms. Malini Chaiyasin, representative of Vietjet Airlines Thailand, was still eager to explore the local tourism. "Nha Trang is a very attractive tourist destination, especially with its beautiful beaches and comprehensive services ranging from accommodation and entertainment to cuisine. Each time I return, I discover new tourist attractions, including the Nha Trang Ancient Craft Village, which is rich in traditional Vietnamese culture and very interesting. Khanh Hoa's tourism is constantly innovating and upgrading," Ms. Malini commented.

A female tourist from Thailand learns about mat weaving at the Nha Trang Old Craft Village.

Opportunities to attract Thai tourists.

According to travel agencies, Khanh Hoa province attracts Thai tourists thanks to its harmonious combination of beaches, cultural relics, and modern services. Notably, from January 29th, Vietjet Airlines of Thailand launched a Bangkok - Cam Ranh route with a frequency of one flight per week. Previously, Thai AirAsia operated this route with a frequency of four flights per week. The increase in direct flights not only facilitates travel for Thai tourists to Khanh Hoa, but also makes it easier for people in Khanh Hoa and other provinces in the region to travel to Thailand. Mr. Do Van Tiep, General Director of Marmoris Yachting Joint Stock Company, shared: "Vietjet Thailand's opening of the Bangkok - Cam Ranh route creates opportunities for tourism and trade development. During the recent famtrip meeting with the Thai delegation, we introduced attractive tourism products such as Nha Trang Bay cruise tours, paragliding services, and high-end water sports activities. I believe that having an additional flight route from Bangkok to Cam Ranh is an opportunity to attract Thai and international tourists to experience, including high-end products such as cruise tours and adventure sports that we are currently offering."

Through surveys, members of the Thai tourism famtrip delegation expressed interest in and a desire to cooperate with Khanh Hoa in developing tourism products. This is a positive sign, indicating the prospect of increasing the number of Thai tourists to the locality in the near future. "I expect that after this famtrip, the image of Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa will be more strongly disseminated in the Thai tourism market through media channels and social networks, not only attracting tourists from this country, but also serving as an important channel to attract international tourists from further markets through Bangkok - a major transit point for tourists in the Asian region," Mr. Pham Minh Nhut commented.

According to the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, Thailand is among the top 10 largest international tourist markets for Vietnam. In 2025, Vietnam is expected to welcome nearly 458,000 Thai tourists, a 9.5% increase compared to 2024. This is an encouraging sign for localities, including Khanh Hoa, to continue investing in developing this tourism market.

XUAN THANH

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/du-lich/202602/thuc-day-thi-truong-khach-thai-lan-74330e0/