THAILAND CONTINUES TO EARN KUDOS FOR ITS TOURISM PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

In spite of the global tourism slump in 2009, Thailand and the Thai travel and tourism industry continued to win numerous awards and be rated highly in survey rankings, a clear indicator of the high level of confidence in the quality of the kingdom’s travel products and services. Mr. Suraphon Svetasreni, TAT Governor said, “The Thai travel and tourism industry is very proud to be recognised thus. Thailand is known the world over for its hospitality, friendly people and excellent service standards, all factors which contribute towards making it one of the most popular global destinations.”

A listing of the awards and rankings:

1. Thailand was ranked Number One on the list of the most friendly places for expats to live by the HSBC Bank International’s survey in 2009. It was also rated among the top countries in terms of quality accommodation.

Launched in 2008, the Expat Explorer survey positions itself as “the largest independent global survey of expats.” Commissioned by the HSBC Bank International and conducted by a third-party research company, the survey covered more than 3,100 expats living in 50 countries about the opportunities and challenges they experience living away from home.

Conducted between February and April 2009, the survey revealed that expats enjoy a better life in their new country, with the majority claiming an increase in the quality of living compared with life back home.

Thailand was one of the best performing locations for expats, ranking third overall. Expats residing in Thailand reported being “more satisfied with their quality of life than the majority of their counterparts elsewhere.”

More than half (53%) reported that the quality of their social life has increased since they moved to Thailand and almost one third (29%) said that the quality of their working hours had improved. Entertainment, food quality, accommodation, social life, and health and well-being all rated significantly higher than the worldwide averages.

Thailand also rated very favourably in terms of luxury products, when compared with other parts of the world.

2. Tourism-Review.com, a travel news gateway for the industry professionals, conducted a survey of the Top 10 Country Brands for Friendly Locals. In the survey, Thailand ranked number 4.

Recognising Thailand by its long-held epithet, “The Land of Smiles”, the Tourism-Review.com survey said the kingdom was hailed by respondents for the “warm hospitality and generally happy dispositions of the Thai people.”

It said, “As well as being friendly and welcoming, Thais are known for their incredible sense of humour and lighthearted spirit—qualities that make it easy to make new friends.”

3. Thailand was voted the Most Popular Destination in Asia 2009 by users of www.hotelclub.com, an accommodation reservation service provider which claims to have more than 6 million viewers. The website claimed votes were cast by more than 52,000 people.

4. Readers of the New York-based Travel + Leisure Magazine, a leading magazine in North America, voted for the World’s Top 50 Hotels and 500 World’s Best Hotels 2010. 19 hotels in Thailand were on the list, as follows:
World’s Top 50 Hotels:
- Four Seasons Tents and Camp in Golden Triangle, ranked no. 7
- Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, ranked no.20
- Four Seasons Chiang Mai, ranked no. 21
500 World’s Best Hotels: Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
- The Peninsula Bangkok
- Le Meridien, Bangkok
- Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok
- Four Seasons Hotel, Bangkok
- Dusit Thani Bangkok
- Conrad Bangkok
- Banyan Tree Bangkok
- JW Marriott, Bangkok
- Four Seasons Resort, Chiang Mai
- Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai
- dusitD2, Chiang Mai
- Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle
- Anantara Golden Triangle
- Anantara Hua Hin
- Anantara Koh Samui Resort and Spa
- Le Meridien, Phuket
- Amanpuri, Phuket
- JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa, Phuket

Travel + Leisure claims to be the world's leading travel magazine with a circulation of almost one million readers.

The TAT Governor said that this year promises to be a better year for the Thai travel and tourism industry, which is quickly recovering from the downturn of last year. “There is no doubt that the continuing improvement of our tourism products and services will see Thailand garnering more honours and awards in 2010.”