Air Canada Bangkok service boosted visits
IAN STALKER
The Tourist Authority of Thailand reports that Thailand is again hosting large numbers of Canadians, with a helping hand from Air Canada significantly contributing to the rebound.
Viktor Spysak of the tourist authority’s Toronto office told a recent Toronto gathering that Thailand has welcomed over 100,000 Canadians so far this year.
“The country’s fully open and ready to welcome tourists,” he said.
Air Canada began direct Vancouver-Bangkok service in December, ending the seasonal service in the spring. The carrier plans to reinstate the route this coming December, welcome news to the tourist authority.
The route marked the first non-stop service between this country and Thailand.
Spysak told the gathering that “there’s so much to explore” in Thailand, adding the Asian nation over 10,000 hotels and resorts, 1,430 islands, 40,000 temples, 2,500 kms of coast, over 740 beaches and some 250 golf courses
“From north to south, it’s really diverse,” he added.
Spysak said Thailand believes in sustainable tourism, pointing to the likes of elephant sanctuaries.
He also said there are “wellness retreats all over the country” that enable people to “disconnect from your iPhones and iPads… We all love to feel wellness and Thailand is the best place to do that because it’s always great and affordable”
Spysak said the Buddhist influence is very visible in Thailand.
Adventurous sorts can opt for the likes of kayaking, diving and rock-climbing, he added.
He also said that repeat visitors will find plenty of regions to tour for the first time. “We say 80% of the country is still unexplored by tourism.”
Spysak also labelled Thailand an LGBT-friendly country. “They (members of the LGBT community) will enjoy their stay as much as any other traveller.”
Meanwhile, Maria Lu of Air Canada noted that April 4th will see Air Canada begin year-round non-stop Vancouver-Singapore service, with connections available from that Asian city to Bangkok.
Lu said her airline also serves other Asian cities — among them Tokyo and Seoul — which can look attractive to those continuing on to Bangkok.
Lu said that Bangkok is a “must-see destination” for those visiting Bangkok for the first time and Air Canada has interline partners — among them Bangkok Airways — that can bring people from the Thai capital to other parts of the country, such as the tropical resort destination of Phuket.
More information on Thailand can be found at thailandexperts.ca.
On hand at the Thailand event were Chris Zhang, Rocky Lo, Joey Lanthier, Mark Hashimoto and Maria Lu of Air Canada, and Thara Vanaprasert, Kayla Shubert, Misty Khaola-Iead and Viktor Spysak of the Tourist Authority of Thailand.
