Thailand: Airbnb has announced a collaboration deal with the Tourism Authority of Thailand [ TAT ] and launched a joint website called Beyond Big Cities.
The site will leverage Airbnb’s digital technology expertise to drive domestic and international travel to niche, less-visited destinations throughout Thailand, which will support local community-led tourism.
Airbnb head of public policy for Southeast Asia, Mich Goh, said: “This new collaboration will enable TAT to see domestic and international traveller trends clearly, and how there are growing numbers travelling beyond Thailand’s big cities and exploring off-the-beaten-track destinations around the country.”
Speaking to TTR Weekly, TAT deputy governor for digitalisation, research and development, Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, said: “Our collaboration with Airbnb will give TAT access to valuable data and help us to better track tourism trends around the country.”
In Buriram, Airbnb has already partnered with the Thailand Ministry of Tourism, Sports’ Department of Tourism and homestay operator B-STAY, in order to build flexible accommodation supply for the Thailand MotoGP in 2018 and 2019.
For this year’s MotoGP, Airbnb’s host community in Buriram welcomed more than 430 guests from 100+ cities around the world into their homes and communities, representing a 96 per cent year-on-year increase. The community is expected to welcome more domestic and international tourists over the coming year.
Sporting events in emerging destinations, including The North Face 100 Thailand in Nakhon Ratchasima, 2019 Buriram Marathon, Prachuap Khiri Run By Tipco 2019 in Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Columbia Trail Masters 2019 in Rayong are also driving increased tourist numbers to the country and their respective areas.
For more information, visit the Airbnb website here and the TAT website here.
