Thailand is making strides to rejuvenate its tourism sector by addressing the cost of air travel and enhancing its reputation as a welcoming destination for LGBTQ+ travelers.
Recently, Munphorn Jerinsri, the Deputy Minister of Transport, announced exciting plans during her inspection of the new passenger terminal construction at Trang International Airport. Slated for discussion at a meeting on March 10, these initiatives include reducing flight ticket prices by 30%, aiming to make travel more affordable and stimulate tourism, particularly for Trang, which boasts diverse attractions.
"The tourism potential of Trang is significant, and we see this as our opportunity to develop the airport as an international hub for neighboring provinces," Munphorn stated. She emphasized the need for increased flight options and competitive pricing to alleviate the financial burden on travelers, stating, "If we increase the number of airlines, consumers will have choices, and with competition, prices will decrease. This is the core mission of the Ministry of Transport. We are working to encourage airlines to expand their fleets for this purpose."
During her visit, she recognized the financial challenges faced by airlines during the COVID-19 pandemic but maintained optimism about the future, saying, "We can attract more tourists by enhancing services and connectivity. If our airports are ready, we can stimulate travel among neighboring provinces like Phatthalung and Nakhon Sri Thammarat, leveraging Trang's broader appeal. This way, we can increase the influx of tourists to Trang and its surrounding areas."
She mentioned the successful collaboration with seven airlines, which resulted in a reduction of 70,000 flight seats last year. The upcoming talks aim to replicate this success with reduced ticket prices this April, giving travelers more opportunities to visit lesser-known areas of Thailand like Trang.
Concurrently, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced its achievement of receiving the Best LGBTQ Destination award at the Spartacus Travel Awards 2025, awarded by the prestigious travel and lifestyle magazine aimed at the LGBTQ+ community.
Thapanee Kiatphaiboon, TAT Governor, highlighted the significance of this accolade, noting, "This award reaffirms Thailand's popularity and acceptance among LGBTQ+ travelers and enhances our reputation as a friendly travel destination." She pointed out the growing interest from LGBTQ+ tourists, particularly after the implementation of the Marriage Equality Law, which came to effect this January, fueling curiosity and travel to Thailand.
Thapanee disclosed, "We are committed to creating inclusive environments where all tourists feel welcomed, and we are thrilled to see the rise of LGBTQ+ tourism. An average visitor from this demographic spends around 73,535 Thai Baht per trip, which is 37.72% higher than average visitors, reflecting their preference for quality accommodations and unique experiences. Popular destinations among these travelers include Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani, and Chiang Mai, indicating the varied interests within the LGBTQ+ community."
This recognition places Thailand at the forefront of the global LGBTQ+ travel market, which sees spending exceeding $200 billion annually. The presence of over 100 representatives from airlines and travel trades during the awards ceremony attests to the significance of this market.
With initiatives to lower travel costs alongside recognition as an LGBTQ-friendly country, Thailand is actively positioning itself as both accessible and inclusive. Munphorn and Thapanee’s respective roles showcase the Thai government's dedication to not only encourage tourism recovery post-pandemic but also to embrace and celebrate diversity within its tourist demographics.
By reducing travel costs and creating inclusive policies, Thailand hopes to catalyze growth within the tourism sector, enhancing its status on the global stage as a diverse and welcoming destination.