The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is to join forces with Thai Airways International and over 30 European travel partners to offer promotional air-fares and special packages to Thailand between 15 July - 30 September, 2010.

The promotions are part of the “Thailand Today” campaign launched by TAT and THAI to celebrate their 50th anniversary as well to revive Thai tourism after the political crisis last May. The two organizations are also working together on the Mega Fam Trip for international media, tour operators and MICE organisers between 12-16 July, 2010.

Between 15 July - 30 September, 2010, Thai Airways will provide 50 seats at special fares per flight on 11 routes from London, Zurich, Rome, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Madrid, Moscow, Oslo, Athens, Stockholm, and Paris. These special fares are designed to attract repeat visitors and brand-loyal tourists from these key cities.

Over 30 European travel partners have joined this campaign, including Trailfinders, Kuoni, TUI, Thomas Cook, Tez Tour, CTS, CFA Voyage, Expedia.com, Lastminute.com, and others.

This sub-campaign will be introduced across the European markets by 15 July, 2010. It is expected to generate over 40,000 visitors with estimated foreign exchange earnings of over 2 billion Baht.

The European market has long been a major bedrock of Thai tourism. Of the 14.09 million international visitor arrivals to Thailand in 2009, a total of 4,055,118 arrivals were from Europe, a market share of 28.78 per cent, an increase of 1.77 per cent over 2008.

The United Kingdom is the largest source market out of Europe. UK visitor arrivals to Thailand totalled 840,198, up +1.65 per cent.

Germany is Thailand’s second highest source market from Europe. In 2009, Thailand recorded 573,742 German visitors (by nationality), up 5.71 per cent over 2008.

France is the third biggest source of visitor arrivals from the European countries, after UK and Germany. Reliable industry surveys show that Thailand is second to China as the French people’s favourite Asian destination. In 2009, French visitors travelling to Thailand totalled 426,323, an increase of 7.01 per cent over 2008.

Visitors from Russia to Thailand have been growing steadily over the past few years. In the early days, Russian visitors began flocking on charters to Pattaya to escape the harsh winters. Today, they have become mainstream travellers with strong growth potential. In 2009, Russian visitors to Thailand totalled 337,471, up 4.12 per cent over 2008.

This year, TAT expects 4.2 million European visitors to Thailand with estimated foreign exchange earnings of 210 billion Baht.