Expanding air traffic to the region could lead to lost travel opportunities for Thailand in the future as tourists fly directly to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV), say foreign tourism buyers at the Thailand Travel Mart Plus in Chiang Mai yesterday.

Travel to the Mekong region is growing thanks to greater air access and interest among travellers in the rapidly developing area.

Low-cost and full-service airlines from India, Singapore, Malaysia, the Middle East and China have commenced new routes and increased flights to regional destinations to meet growing market demand.

Tourism analysts from the Mekong region said it is becoming a more attractive destination because of greater air access and improved water and land transport infrastructure.

Authorities for the region are working together to define specific brand identities to promote travel to the region, with Cambodia leading in the area of heritage product management, Myanmar in local experiences, Laos in self-driving tours, Vietnam in luxury cruises and Thailand in lively metropolitan and food experiences.


www.buriramtimes.com/thailand-faces-competition-tourists-neighbours/