Bangkok –
The maiden flight from Saudi Arabia to Bangkok has officially landed for the first time in 32 years, the Thai Tourism and Sports Minister announced today, March 1st.
Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn revealed that flight number SV846 from Saudia Airlines flying directly from Jeddah – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, carrying 71 Saudi travelers, has arrived safely at Suvarnabhumi Airport yesterday, February 28th, at around 6:05 PM.
The flight symbolically represented a reviving relationship between the two countries while promoting Thai tourism in the Saudi market, Phiphat stated.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) had prepared activities to welcome the first group of Saudi passengers such as souvenirs, Thai performances (Khon), and a traditional water salute for friendly and impressive greetings.
Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, the Deputy Governor for marketing communications at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), further stated that Saudia Airlines had arranged three flights per week to Thailand, on Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays, via Boeing 789 aircraft containing 298 seats, starting February 28th.
He added that the direct flight would not only promote tourism in Thailand, but it would also allow tourists to conveniently transfer to other destinations, reducing time and travel expenses. It would also expand large tourist markets, not only in Saudi Arabia but in Europe and the Middle East as well.
Moreover, TAT also planned to launch an international marketing communication campaign titled “Visit Thailand Year 2022: Amazing New Chapters” in line with the Bio – Circular – Green Economy. The campaign would offer new perspectives through three main groups of tourism products and services, namely Medical and Health and Wellness, Beaches, and Shopping, to exchange tourism promotions by focusing on the ease of traveling.
The initial target tourist groups would be first-time visitors, medical, health, wellness, and families. TAT would continue to conduct marketing activities in B2B (Business to Business) and B2C (Business to Customer) schemes, such as organizing Tradeshows, Roadshows, and Consumer Fairs as well as a joint promotion with partners giving special privileges and discounts to certain tourists.
According to statistics in 2019, about 36,783 tourists from Saudi Arabia had traveled to Thailand, generating income of more than 3,220.15 million baht. Of which, the main group of tourists were medical tourists. Most of them would participate in activities such as beach attractions, health tourism, and shopping. The most popular travel destinations were Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Phang Nga, Krabi, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai. Prior to direct flights, Saudi Arabian tourists could only visit through a third-party country, like Dubai.
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