Bangkok (People's Daily) - More than 60 female celebrities, bloggers, media and key opinion leaders from 12 countries and territories participated in the “3rd Women's Journey Thailand 2018” on Wednesday in Bangkok, a unique marketing campaign launched by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to attract more female visitors.

Photos: People's Daily/Sun Guangyong

The high-profile campaign generates billions of dollars’ worth of positive publicity for the kingdom’s myriad of products, facilities, services and attractions aimed at the female travellers, ranging from cooking classes and health and wellness treatments to sports, shopping, and weddings and honeymoons. 

The Women’s Journey Thailand is held annually in August, the month in which Thailand marks HM Queen Sirikit's Birthday on 12 August.

This year’s group of invited women celebrities includes former beauty queens, models, actresses, sports stars, singers and various other prominent personalities from China, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Iran, Japan, Korea, Turkey, Russia, the UAE, and the USA. 

The groups fanned out on various experiential visits where they learn t about “Thainess”, tried their hands at making handicrafts, umbrella painting, elephant riding, tree planting, and enjoying Thailand’s gastronomic delights. Some of the celebrities would also enjoy visits to Thailand’s national parks and ecotourism attractions.

TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said, “The strategy to promote Thailand as a women-friendly destination is one part of our communication concept, ‘Open to the New Shades of Thailand.’ Women not only have more purchasing power but are often the primary decision-makers for destinations, length of stay and budgets.’’

“We are truly grateful that women celebrities accepted our invitation. The millions of people they reach through their social media followers will play a major role in helping to enhance the success of this campaign.”

Qin Meisu, Miss Universe of China, expressed her love of Thailand to People's Daily.

In 2016, the number of women travellers to Thailand totalled 16.9 million (+ 16.93%), accounting for 52% of total visitors (32.5 million visitors). This was the first time that the number of female visitors surpassed the number of male visitors. It also reflected that Thailand’s tourism is on the right track of promoting the country to women travellers around the world.