Thailand has been rated the second best long-haul destination in the 2013 Travel Trends Report issued by the UK tour operator Kuoni.
It
has also been rated amongst the Top Ten in other categories such as
for Weddings, Honeymoons and for Singles.
Listing
the top three selling destinations for 2013 as the Maldives,
Thailand, Sri Lanka, the report says, "The fact that Thailand
occupies the No 2 slot in our Top 10 Destinations is no surprise. The
country offers holidays for everyone from captivating cities such as
Bangkok with its floating markets to small island hideaways to
languish in, overlaid with a friendly, open culture."
It
adds, “The world's austere economic outlook will drive a greater
need for opportunities to escape the doom and gloom. The power of a
holiday will not diminish and the allure of the Maldives, Thailand
and Sri Lanka will continue."
Kuoni
has been undertaking the annual Travel Trends Report since 1980.
Figures in the 2013 Report are based on statistics from booking
patterns made between January to December 2012 for holidays during
2012 and 2013, actual passenger numbers, customer behaviour and
feedback. The figures are based on holiday bookings made up until
December 2012.
The
following is a compilation of the mentions of Thailand and its
various tourism products in the report:
Top
10 Destinations: The
fact that Thailand occupies the No 2 slot in Kuoni Top 10
Destinations is no surprise. The country offers holidays for everyone
from captivating cities such as Bangkok with its floating markets to
small island hideaways to languish in, overlaid with a friendly, open
culture. Thailand also retains it second spot. Synonymous with
excellent value and outstanding service, in 2013 Kuoni is offering
ten exclusive properties, from Trip Advisor’s top choice –
Rocky’s in a private location on the lush island of Ko Samui – to
the new, laid back charm of Let’s Sea in Hua Hin and the family
friendly Holiday Inn
Mai Khao in Phuket, which offers Kids Suits including play corner,
games console, iPod docking station and so on.
Top
10 Wedding
Destinations: Thailand
in sixth place, up from seven last year, is another great value
destination. Hotels such as the secluded Centara Villas on a private
beach offers a “Just the two of us” packages for
approximately £450 that takes some beating.
Top
10 Honeymoon Destinations: Thailand
in third place, up from fourth last year, excels in smaller hideaway
resorts perfect for honeymoons. Places such as Six Senses Yao Noi, Ko
Lanta, and Khao Lak are making their mark alongside Thailand's
excellent beach and city-based resorts. At Yao Noi, Mountain View
villas are elevated above lush, tropical forest while at Ko Lanta
each of the 55 hideaway villas have private pools and are set into
the hillside that is part of a mature rubber tree plantation.
Top
5 Holidays
for Singles: Thailand
stays firm in the Number 1
slot,
with a host of tours to choose from, renowned personal service,
iconic sites and fabulous food. Single travellers can choose between
a volunteering holiday in Chiang Mai, unspoilt beach resorts to
languish in, rich cultural traditions to dip in and out of and
unparalleled landscapes .