PATTAYA, Thailand – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is participating in Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) 2026 from 5–7 February at the Jio Convention Centre, Mumbai, reinforcing Thailand’s strategic focus on the Indian market and advancing a quality-led tourism strategy for 2026 across leisure and quality travel segments.
TAT is participating for the 13th time with a 200-square-metre Thailand pavilion designed to facilitate around 5,000 business appointments between Thai tourism operators and Indian buyers, while promoting Thailand’s tourism offerings to trade partners, media, and consumers. The pavilion combines a destination information area, shared spaces for business meetings and media interviews, and a cultural showcase highlighting Thai arts, crafts, and living traditions to strengthen engagement and brand distinction.
TAT is also using the platform to disseminate updated tourism information and showcase Thailand’s tourism products and services through a series of cultural performances and live demonstrations presented under the “Healing is the New Luxury” international communication campaign. These activities invite participants to engage closely with Thai ways of life, culture, and craftsmanship rooted in local wisdom. Highlights include demonstrations of traditional herbal inhalers made from ten aromatic herbs, upcycling crafts such as Pla Tapian fish keychains created from Pha Khao Ma fabric, and tissue garland crafting, a contemporary handicraft that reflects Thai creativity and the ability to transform everyday materials into meaningful artistic expressions. Together, these activities embody the essence of Thai wisdom, creativity, and sustainable living.
Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said, “India remains a strategically important and high-growth market for Thailand. Participation in OTM 2026 enables TAT to strengthen market insight, refine marketing strategies, and develop tourism products aligned with traveller demand, while reinforcing Thailand’s positioning as a quality destination focused on long-term, sustainable growth. These efforts are also aimed at stimulating interest among key Indian traveller segments, including first-time visitors, millennials, and high-value travellers.”
For 2026, TAT will prioritise closer collaboration with tour operators and airlines, supported by continued brand communications showcasing Thailand’s diverse tourism products, cultural richness, and natural assets. Key leisure segments include millennials, families, active seniors, and lady travellers, alongside high-value segments such as incentive travel, weddings and celebrations, luxury leisure, and sports tourism. Greater emphasis will also be placed on partnerships with Thai operators aligned with Sustainable Development Goals to support value-led growth.
These efforts are supported by strong air connectivity between India and Thailand, with 10 airlines operating during the Winter 2025–2026 schedule, offering 438 flights per week and more than 14,600 seats weekly, with further capacity growth projected in 2026. Thailand’s visa exemption policy for Indian passport holders, allowing stays of up to 60 days, continues to underpin travel confidence and accessibility.
The India market continues to demonstrate solid momentum. Indian arrivals reached 2.48 million in 2025, generating 87.7 billion Baht in revenue, up from 2.12 million arrivals and 78 billion Baht in 2024. Between 1 January and 4 February 2026, a total of 256,782 Indian tourists travelled to Thailand, ranking India as the fourth-largest source market in terms of international arrivals. This strong performance underscores the continued growth momentum and the strategic importance of the Indian market to Thailand’s tourism sector. For 2026, TAT is expected to reach 2.55 million Indian travellers with projected revenue of 93 billion Baht. Bangkok, Chon Buri, Phuket, Krabi, and Chiang Mai remain the most visited destinations, alongside growing interest in Surat Thani, Krabi, Phang Nga, and Chiang Rai, driven by demand for gastronomy, beach activities, nightlife, wellness, and cultural experiences. (TAT)
