Welcome to Phuket, the gem of the Andaman Sea, where the warm sands embrace your steps and the island breeze whispers tales of paradise! Imagine stepping off a plane to a cavalcade of cultures—a vivid celebration for none other than you, the discerning traveller from India. This is no ordinary vacation; it’s the inaugural lap of luxury as Air India’s wings first grace the Phuket sky on a historic Friday that will be etched in memories and airport archives alike.
Thailand, a mosaic of scents, sights, and sounds, has played gracious host to a cascade of Indian guests this year, numbers ballooning to about 1.5 million souls, each seeking their own slice of Thai enchantment. Revel in the news: the land of smiles has outshone its own tourism targets with flying colours, and who do we thank? Enter the grand stage, the much-applauded tourist visa exception scheme, as it unfurls its red carpet from November 10, bridging nations until May 10, 2024.
Increase your shades—daily Indian arrivals have leapt from 4,000 to a bustling 5,000-5,500 per diem, heralded TAT’s luminary, Patsee Permvongsenee. TAT’s maestros in New Delhi and Mumbai are weaving marketing magic, conjuring campaigns to summon even more travellers from the Indian subcontinent. Watch out for the sparkling allure aimed at corporates with a thirst for meetings set against tropical backdrops, the golf aficionados seeking undulating greens under a serene sky, and the lovers—the newlyweds and honeymooners craving for sunlit kisses and sunset promises. These sojourners, they say, have the highest potential to adorn Thailand with their joy.
At Phuket’s doorstep, government dignitaries alighted, welcoming the wave of visitors aboard Air India’s flight AI378. Imagine a cheer as the Phuket governor, alongside a brigade of TAT virtuosos, airport chiefs, and ambassadors of Thai hospitality laid out the grandest of welcomes.
Mark your calendars, as Air India pledges four weekly flights directly connecting the beating heart of New Delhi to Phuket’s serene shores. The A320 Neo, a metal bird housing up to 162 seekers of beach bliss per sojourn, anticipates your company on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. And whispers in the wind speak of a daily frequency come January—thirsty for more? Patsee hints at a tantalizing 77% ascend from 1992 in air-seat capacity, a testament to the revival post-pandemic times.
With an allure worth an average of 39,500 baht spent per traveller, it’s no wonder that 75% of Indian arrivals choose the independent path, mapping their own Thai expeditions across Bangkok’s bustling corners, Chon Buri’s pristine shores, the glistening waters of Krabi, and the natural splendor enveloping Phangnga.
As we turn the page to a new chapter, Air India’s vibrant flotilla will grace the skies sevenfold post-New Year. India, now the bronze medalist in passenger arrivals behind the champions, Russia and China, ascends the ranks with buoyant spirits.
Last but never least, the Phuket taiko drums resound for the rise—to the third from fourth, a subtle yet striking climb. A thousand Indian hearts beat daily with Phuket’s pulse—and as the numbers say, over 235,070 Indian footprints have left their mark from January to November, each tracing a unique story on this sun-kissed isle.
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