Thailand popular with Irish

EVEN in troubled times, tourism in Thailand appears to be flourishing with the numbers of Irish travellers increasing year on year.

Although it’s a small market, the Tourism Authority of Thailand is delighted with a core audience of 60,000 Irish, most of them taking up package deals.

Last night in Cork, Discover Travel, part of the East Cork Travel Group, linked up with the Tourism Authority, hoteliers and airlines from Thailand at the Clarion Hotel to promote a special trade show for travel agents throughout Munster.

Discover Travel managing director Brendan Barry said the event was a major breakthrough in a developing relationship with the Thai authority.

“Package holidays to Thailand are not quite the same as other destinations. There is a whole range of different products and cultural events that clients wish to enjoy. “From zip-wire jungle trips in Chiang Mai in the north to elephant trekking in Isaan, to the fabulous beaches of Phuket and Koh Samui as well as the attractions in Bangkok and environs, it’s really an open book.”