Thailand has been awarded the Platinum Award for “The Best International Family Holiday Destination of 2008” by readers of Today’s Traveller, one of India’s leading business and leisure travel magazines.

The award was conferred at the 11th Anniversary celebrations of Today’s Traveller Magazine in Delhi on 25 August, 2008, and presided over by Ms. Ambika Soni, India’s Minister of Tourism.

The award was accepted on behalf of the Thai travel and tourism industry by Mr. Prakit Piriyakiat, TAT’s Director for the ASEAN, South Asia and Pacific markets.

Thailand was selected amongst 227 nominated destinations worldwide, and won the award in the category of “Best International Family Holiday Destination” which recognises the quality of Thai tourism facilities, transport, airlines, tourism offices inbound and outbound, including maintains standards and services.

Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Mrs Phornsiri Manoharn said the award was a recognition of the creativity and professionalism of all Thai people.

“The tourism industry is becoming extremely competitive every year,” she said. “Maintaining Thailand’s marketing profile has become a hugely challenging exercise, and we are glad to see that our efforts are being recognised.”

India is one of Thailand’s most rapidly growing markets and the biggest source-market for visitors from South Asia. In 2007, Indian visitor arrivals totalled 506,237, up 17.8% over 2006, crossing the half-million mark for the first time. Within these figures, we are noticing major increases in family travellers, first-time visitors, as well as FIT travellers.

In January – June 2008, international visitor arrivals (classified by nationality) at Suvarnabhumi International Airport totalled 5.62 million, up 14.4% over the same period of 2007, with the growth in arrivals from India, up 14.59% to 276,478.

Contact information:
International Public Relation Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: prdiv3@tat.or.th
Web site: www.tatnews.org