Thailand targets Central Asia to boost inbound tourism
The Tourism and Sports Ministry of Thailand is looking to new markets in Central Asia, particularly Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, as post-COVID trends show strong demand for international tourism.
Tourists pose for a photo in Lamphun province of Thailand. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) - TheTourism and Sports Ministry of Thailand is looking to new markets inCentral Asia, particularly Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, as post-COVIDtrends show strong demand for international tourism.
Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakan said Central Asia haspotential as a new market for inbound tourism because of short flight times ofno more than seven and a half hours.
The ministry's market analysis showed that travellers fromthis region have high demand to travel internationally after the pandemic. Inparticular, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have higher potential for economic growththan other nations in the region.
To people from this region, visa applications and flightswere found to be the main factors in determining holiday destinations.
According to Thailand’s new regulations, touristsfrom Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are eligible to apply for visas on arrival fromOctober this year to March next year for 30 days, up from 15 days previously.
Meanwhile, Air Astana is operating direct flights from Almatyin Kazakhstan to Phuket three times per week. For the upcoming high season,direct services to Phuket will be increase, totalling 1,162 seats on directflights, starting from October 30. A new route to Bangkok is scheduled to starton the same date.
SCAT Airlines based in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, also announced chartered services fromAlmaty, Astana, Kostanay, Shymkent and Uralsk to both Phuket and U-tapao airportsof Thailand.
Minister Phiphat said Kazakhstan ranked first among the Commonwealthof Independent States countries in terms of foreign visitors to Thailand, with56,529 travellers in 2019, followed by Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, which had19,891 and 4,608 travellers, respectively./.
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Tourists pose for a photo in Lamphun province of Thailand. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) 
