Thailand strengthens tourism ties with the Middle East
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) connected 40 travel trade representatives from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia with 80 Thai tourism businesses at Amazing Journeys Through Thailand Trade Connect 2026, held on 1 October at Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit. The event formed a key component of the Amazing Journeys Through Thailand Mega FAM Trip & Trade Connect 2026, running from 27 September–2 October across Pattaya, Hua Hin and Bangkok.
Miss Wajanan Silpawornwiwat, Executive Director of the Americas, Middle East and Africa Region, said, “Amazing Journeys Through Thailand gives our partners first-hand knowledge of products they can develop for their clients, while Trade Connect turns that discovery into business connections. Under our ‘Healing is the New Luxury’ direction, we encourage partners to combine wellness and nature, healthy dining and halal cuisine with family-friendly accommodation, and culturally attentive services, while leveraging Thailand’s festivals and events to create more reasons to visit, explore new destinations and return.”
Trade Connect featured a Thailand Product Presentation, followed by continuous B2B meetings connecting Middle East participants with Thai tourism operators to discuss products, rates and business opportunities. The programme concluded with a networking dinner and lucky draw.
The participants represent Middle East travel companies that already offer Thailand packages or are looking to expand their portfolios. The six-day programme showcases Thailand’s diverse tourism products while supporting Green Season travel, when Gulf regional summer holidays coincide with Thailand’s low season.
TAT is organising the programme through the TAT Dubai Office with Air Arabia and the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), supported by tourism partners in Pattaya, Hua Hin and Bangkok. The initiative maintains trade engagement after TAT decided not to participate in Arabian Travel Market amid regional instability. Air Arabia operates 21 weekly flights on each of its Sharjah–Bangkok and Sharjah–Phuket routes.
During 27–29 September, the FAM Trip took participants along two routes. The Pattaya route combined resort stays with Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, Ocean Marina Yacht Club Pattaya, island-hopping and snorkelling, Central Pattaya and The Sanctuary of Truth. Meanwhile, the Hua Hin route featured seaside resorts, heritage areas, wellness experiences and Vana Nava Waterpark, with the groups reuniting in Bangkok to visit Central Park Bangkok, followed by a reception at Siam Yacht Club.
The programme continued on 30 September with Bangkok Product Discovery Day. Experiences included riverfront hotels and VIP services, wellness clinics and spas, visits to Charoen Krung and Talat Noi, Thai design and crafts, halal-friendly gastronomy, and major shopping destinations. The day concluded with a Chao Phraya River dinner cruise supported by TBO Holidays.
Middle East arrivals to Thailand totalled 531,743 from 1 January–20 September 2026, down 11.53% year on year. From 1 July–20 September, arrivals reached 321,304, up 11.82% over the corresponding period in 2025, showing growth during Thailand’s annual Green Season.
Source: TAT News
