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Published on October 9, 2007

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is wooing Russian and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) tourists. It hopes to attract more than 300,000 this year.

The agency took nine hotel and travel companies along to a CIS travel fair last week in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

The visit is just one part of the authority's plans for the region. It recently opened an office in Moscow.

Juthaporn Rerngronasa, the TAT's deputy governor for international marketing, said that 190,000 Russian tourists visited Thailand last year, up 78 per cent from 2005. Another 40,000 came from CIS countries, a 74-per-cent hike on 2005.

"The TAT projects total tourists from this region will reach 300,000 this year and growth will jump in coming years," Juthaporn said.

During the first seven months of this year, Thailand welcomed 250,000 Russians - an increase of more than 50 per cent.

Thai Airways International now has three flights a week from Moscow to Bangkok - with plans for more as demand rises - and there are a growing number of charters to the capital, Phuket and Pattaya from Moscow.

Russian carriers Transaero and Aerosvit plan to fly from Saint Petersburg, Moscow and Vladivostok to Thailand this high season starting in November.

TAT statistics show the average stay for a Russian visitor is 12.2 days, much longer than many other nations. However, their spending is low compared with visitors from Middle East nations or India.

Visas on arrival for Thai visitors to Russia will encourage airlines to open new routes, too.

Juthaporn said many Russian and CIS tourists were keen to visit Thailand resorts and attractions. The authority is promoting new destinations for these people, including Koh Chang, Koh Samui and Krabi. Spa visits are being advertised, too.

"In the past, Russian visitors came to Thailand only in peak seasons. But we are now wanting them to travel year round," she said.

Juthaporn said private travel companies would participate in a trade fair in the Ukraine soon.

However, she admitted problems lingered. There is a shortage of seats and Russian-speaking guides, while political unrest remains a security worry for some travellers.

"Tour operators are urging Thai Airways to operate direct flights from Saint Petersburg to Bangkok or Phuket. They foresee high demand," Juthaporn said.

Other holiday destinations - including Singapore, Dubai, Malaysia, South Korea and Vietnam - are opening tourist offices in CIS countries and Russia, she said.

Suchat Sritaama,

The Nation

SainT PETERSBURG