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Published on October 10, 2007

The CIS consists of 11 former Soviet Republics: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Turkmenistan is an associate member.

The Thai operators were commenting while taking part last week in the CIS Travel Market 2007 tourism fair in Saint Petersburg.

They said the number of visitors from CIS countries would grow 10-20 per cent next year and that THAI should not only increase the frequency of its flights between Thailand and Russia, but also begin direct service to Saint Petersburg, which is 650 kilometres Northwest of Moscow.

They suggested THAI increase the frequency of its services between Bangkok and Moscow from three to seven per week.

Victor Kriventsov, director of sales and leisure at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort in Pattaya, said he expected the number of tourists from CIS countries to grow 10-20 per cent both this year and next. The growth rate would depend on the number of available airline seats, which has been increasing since THAI began its Bangkok-Moscow service about two years ago.

However, growth could be higher with direct flights to Saint Petersburg, he said.

Russian tourists would travel all year round if more airlines did not restrict services to only the Thai high season, normally between November and March.

"Despite the fact that travelling with THAI costs about US$100 to $200 [Bt3,400 to Bt6,800] more than other airlines, people still want to come," Kriventsov said.

He said the Royal Cliff Beach Resort had been focusing on Russian tourists for more than 13 years. It is now one of the most popular hotels in Thailand for Russian visitors and receives 7 per cent of total tourists from that country.

Tour Thailand director Nipa Washarapimonpun said more than 10 travel companies were planning to focus specifically on CIS markets, so the number of visitors could be expected to increase dramatically.

"They like to go to Bangkok, Pattaya and southern Thailand. They stay longer than tourists from many other countries, more than 12 days per trip on average," Nipa said, adding that her company planned to hold on to such customers by offering more value and services.

Wacharaporn Phiewkaow, sales and marketing director for Discovery Holidays, said her firm expected an increase of 10-20 per cent in bookings from the Russian market following the St Petersburg fair. It plans to join more tourism trade fairs in Ukraine and Kazakhstan, in order to draw more tourists from CIS countries.

She said the limited number of airline seats was a big problem in bringing CIS tourists into Thailand, while the growing number of travel agents was generating tougher competition. There is also a shortage of Russian-speaking guides in Thailand.

Tatiana Volobueva, who is in charge of reservations for Exotic Voyage, said travelling to Thailand was cheaper than to other countries. Russians usually visit Phuket and Pattaya, but the company is introducing more destinations, including Koh Samui, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Krabi, as well as promoting bicycle and motorcycle riding for tourists.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation