9 out of 10 Destinations Searched on Expedia.co.th are in Thailand

Thais’ travel behavior has been on an upward trend for the past decade, contributed by the growth from low-cost airlines and the emergence of smaller, more affordable boutique accommodation. 

According to the National News Bureau of Thailand, The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has cited the possibility of extending the international flight ban due to concerns over the global COVID-19 situation.  Its director-general said the kingdom should focus more on its domestic airline business as the government had earlier given the green light to local carriers and allowed for majority of businesses to reopen.  This resulted in the interest and growth in domestic travel for the past month.

On a national level, governmental support for local tourism growth has been strong.  One of the most recent programs announced is the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) project, a collaborative effort between the MoTS, TAT, and NBTC to offer a unique certification scheme aimed to prepare the Thai tourism industry for post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery and enhance confidence amongst international and domestic travelers. In June, TAT and Expedia announced a collaboration to promote the country’s health and safety initiatives under TAT’s SHA scheme to global travelers.  Certified hotels and resorts are issued a certificate by TAT and have a validity period of two years. Travelers can check for certified hotels on the SHA website.

Thai’s opting for local cities to support local tourism growth 

Despite the joys that overseas holidays and destinations bring, Thais are now opting for domestic destinations to fuel their thirst for travel.  Bloggers, influencers, and travel sites have done an adequate amount of research to suggest and promote both popular as well as hidden or untapped destinations within Thailand. According to Expedia.co.th search data in June 2020, the top five cities searched the most were Pattaya (12.8%), Bangkok (10.1%), Hua Hin (9.6%), Chiang Mai (4.7%) and Phuket (4.6%).

https://www.thailand-business-news.com/travel/79935-thailand-may-extend-international-flight-ban-again.html

“Amazing Thailand” remains at heart for Thais 

The data comes as no surprise, as Thailand has long been a favorite destination among Southeast Asia travelers, for various reasons. Thailand offers a unique and unforgettable experience for every traveler.  From crystal clear blue beaches, to lush thick jungles, scrumptious street food, fine gastronomy, outdoor adventures, extreme sports, cultures, history, eco-friendly lifestyle, affordable beachfront bungalows and to the most luxurious hotels in the world. There is something unique for every interest, traveler, and budget.

If you are looking to explore any of Expedia’s top searched cities, Expedia recommends the following SHA approved properties for a staycation:

Expedia APAC head of communications, Lavinia Rajaram said, “As COVID-19 restrictions start to lift for domestic travel, appetite for travel will resume, but with new expectations. Travelers will be concerned about staying healthy during every step of their journey. We want to give our travelers the confidence to book with us. Given how quickly the advice and restrictions are changing, our main priority at Expedia is making sure our customers have all the important information they need when planning and booking for their upcoming travel. TAT’s SHA initiative is one of the many important guidelines our travelers can be looking out for when searching for properties, along with Expedia’s enhanced cleaning checklist which is now displayed on each property information page.”

Resources to help you travel smart and travel safe:

Whether you have to travel or you’re just exploring options for future trips, there’s much more to consider before you depart. Like you, we love to travel, and we will travel again. Here are some top travel tips for Thai travelers:

Traveling Smart for Leisure:

• Research, particularly around travel advisories and restrictions for certain origins and destinations which may include, among other things, on-arrival quarantine, preclusions on non-essential travel, requirements, or changes in visa-approval protocols.
• Look for flexibility by filtering search results for penalty-free and flexible cancellation policies.
• Understand your own travel insurance coverage details.
• Make sure that activities and attractions are open and plan for any restrictions.
• Pack Personal Protective Equipment for the trip including a mask and sanitizer.
• Learn about new and updated cleanliness and safety measures being taken by Expedia’s partners and suppliers.

Some examples of how Expedia is helping leisure travelers include:

• The implementation of an unprecedented lodging cancellation policy to provide travelers options to manage their bookings with ease.
• Flights, hotels, and activities can now be filtered by penalty-free and flexible cancellation policies.
• Customers can access health and safety information as well as frequently asked questions on our customer service portal.
• As part of property details, customers see on Expedia sites for lodging, health, and cleanliness information will be prominently displayed when it is provided to us by the supplier.
• At the vacation rental property level, travelers can see enhanced safety steps homeowners or property managers are taking including confirming the property is being cleaned with disinfectant, whether guests can check-in and out without any person-to-person contact, and whether the property is unavailable for 24 hours between guests.
• Flights with no change fees are clearly marked to help customers explore flexible options in case their travel plans change.
• There are now more ‘self-service’ options to help customers manage their bookings without speaking to an agent.
• Similarly, Expedia has streamlined the way the supply partners could initiate cancellations where travel restrictions are in place to speed up and improve communication with our travelers.
• Expedia rewarded people to stay home when they couldn’t travel by adding new ways to gain rewards or extending existing reward time periods.
• Expedia is working with governments, destinations, and the wider travel and tourism industry to help inform the development of safe travel protocols and champion consistent health and safety guidelines which will help all travelers make informed decisions and travel safely.

Traveling Safely

According to Thailand’s Department of Disease Control combined with a compilation from health

organizations around the world (such as the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control) suggests:

• Wash Your Hands Often
• Wear a Mask
• Practice Coughing and Sneezing Etiquette
• Practice Social Distancing
• Avoid Traveling If Unwell

Anticipate Travel Needs, bring enough of your medicine, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, a cloth face-covering or mask to wear in public places, and food and water for the trip.