Thai DMCs welcome the removal of the Thailand Pass

Ayutthaya / Thailand - 10 December 2018: Tour group and guide at Wat Mahathat temple in Ayutthaya Historic Park

Large incentive groups are back on the cards for Thailand DMCs for 2023, following the removal of the Thailand Pass on July 1, 2022.

Diethelm Travel Group’s senior business development manager, Gregor Zajc, said that though the removal of the Thailand Pass is welcome, it is too early to predict its impact for the remainder of 2022.

A tour group and guide at Wat Mahathat temple in Ayutthaya Historical Park, Thailand

This is because there are still several obstacles that need to be addressed.

“We have recorded an increase in inquiries, (but it is not) a significant increase. The (lack of available) flights to Thailand also diverts many travellers to other destinations. The same goes for the need to wear face masks indoors when travellers prefer to go to places without any restrictions,” he elaborated.

However, 2023 is looking bright, Zajc said. “We believe that International incentive travel organisers are aware of and are confident to market Thailand. But there is a slight delay in the actual planning, as companies are just restarting their travels and finalising travel for this year.”

Patranuch Sudasna, director at CDM, shared similar observations, stating there has been some uptick in bookings for this year, but mainly from shorthaul markets, whereas large groups of 500 or more participants are planning for a 2023 date instead.

He predicts that from early 2023, large-scale incentives from longhaul markets will start returning as corporates gain more confidence to travel in large groups, to safe destinations such as Thailand.

Sponsored Post