TTCJ June Conference Tourism Seminar, Tourism Authority of Thailand. “Focus on the sports you watch and play in,” like golf and marathons, says Mr. Fujimura – Travel Watch

On June 10, the Tourist Transportation Club of Japan (TTCJ) held a tourism seminar for its members at its June regular meeting “Thailand Night”.

TTCJ was established in 1947 as a social group for people in the industry such as travel agencies and airlines, and is now a gathering of hotel officials, travel agents and those interested in international exchanges.

Tsutomu Sato, President of Japan Tourism and Transportation Association

Mr. Pattaraanon Nachaengmai, Director of Tokyo Office, Tourism Authority of Thailand

At the seminar, Mr. Tsutomu Sato, Chairman of TTCJ, delivered an opening speech, and Mr. Pattalaanon Nachaengmai, Director of the Tokyo Office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, introduced the current status of tourism exchanges between the two countries. Next, Mr. Yoshiaki Fujimura, Marketing Manager of the Tokyo Office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, explained the latest information on tourism in Thailand.

There were Thai connoisseurs who had been to Thailand more than 20 times at the venue that day, and Mr. Fujimura explained that the target audience was those who came to Thailand for the first time. Thailand is known for its high number of repeat visitors, recording about 1.65 million tourists in 2018, and the agency has set a target of about 1.8 million for 2019. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to increase the number of first-time visitors and attract women, couples, families, students, senior citizens and sports enthusiasts.

2019 target audience

2019 “5G” Strategy

Related article “The Tourism Authority of Thailand focuses on ‘5G’ in Thailand’s tourism industry in 2019. A business meeting attended by 36 companies including local tourism facilities and Japanese travel agencies”

By the way, the overall image of Thailand is probably still one of “Buddhism”, “Temples” and “Southern Beach Resort”.

Take golf for example. The LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) Tour will be held in Pattaya in February, and there are more than 200 golf courses across Thailand. The price is low, and the comfort of a round ball such as a caddy per person is also a highlight. In addition, the marathon with more than 200 races held in Japan is characterized by starting in the dark early in the morning and finishing before the heat.

Football is also very popular in Thailand, and there are also Thai players active in the Japanese J-League, such as Chanathip Songgrasingh, who is known as the “Thai Messi” and belongs to Sapporo Consado. As we have also reported in this issue, sports in Thailand continue to develop in the direction of fun and participation, such as the motorcycle race MotoGP and the car race SUPER GT held in Buriram Province (related article “100,000 people” enthusiastic Watching the first MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix”).

Existing and new images of Thailand

Ryo Ishikawa serves as golf goodwill ambassador as Thai golf is booming

Another golf tournament to liven up the off-season

When it comes to sightseeing and shopping, keep an eye out for newly built hotels and complexes along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. Among them, “IconSiam”, Thailand’s largest complex opened in Khlong San, has been a hot topic since its opening in November 2018, and Takashimaya’s first store in Thailand and Dosanko Plaza in Hokkaido are new attractions.

Also, King Power Mahanakorn Tower, completed in front of BTS (Sky Train) Chong Nonsi Station at the end of 2018, is the tallest building in Thailand at 314 meters, and its top observation deck “Mahanakorn Skywalk” has become a hot topic due to its glass floor.

A new scenic spot is born in the Chao Phraya River Basin