Thailand

Market Overview The global financial crisis and political turmoil in Thailand have seen consumers tighten their belts and reduce spending on long-haul travel. However, things are looking brighter as the economic situation begins to improve. Travel sellers have reported an improvement in bookings for the remainder of 2009, although demand is still down on last year.

Thailand is a relatively small market for New Zealand, with around 20,000 Thai holiday-makers visit New Zealand each year. But visitors from this market are more likely than many of our key markets to travel outside of the main tourism centres and outside of the peak summer months.

The peak season for Thai visitors is during the school holidays of March through till May, and in October.

There is strong interest from Thailand in independent and self-drive holidays. New Zealand is also a popular choice for Thai incentive groups, with group sizes ranging from 20-700 people. Incentive groups account for 50 per cent of the holiday market and help boost visitor numbers from Thailand outside of the peak season.

English study tours form part of the holiday market, as participating students travel on holiday visas, particularly in March and April.

The education market also helps to expand leisure market travellers, as parents and relatives often visit their children in New Zealand during Thai long-weekend holidays throughout the year.

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