Thailand

Market Overview

Thailand is a relatively small market for New Zealand, contributing around 20,000 visitor arrivals each year. However the market is an important contributor to overall arrivals from South East Asia.

Thai Airways International has increased non-stop services between Bangkok and Auckland to five flights each week. The airline has announced their plan to return to daily services in July 2011 before Rugby World Cup 2011 in September.

Less than half of the Thai visitors to New Zealand travel outside of the main tourism centres (47 per cent). Many travel outside of the peak summer months and the peak season for Thai visitors is during the school holidays of March through until May, and in October.

There is strong interest from Thailand in independent and self-drive holidays, with interest in campervan holidays also increasing. New Zealand is also a popular choice for Thai incentive groups, with group sizes ranging from 20 to 800 people. Incentive groups account for 30 per cent of the holiday market and help boost visitor numbers from Thailand during winter and the spring/autumn shoulder seasons.

English study tours are another important aspect of the Thai holiday market, particularly in March and April. Family and relatives often visit their children in New Zealand during Thai long-weekend holidays throughout the year.