The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is confident the coming launches of four new routes by three local airlines will connect Thailand with booming tourism markets in neighbouring countries.
TAT governor Yuthasak Suapsorn said the new routes would draw more tourists to Thailand and link them to up-and-coming destinations in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
The Tourism and Sports Ministry is promoting the synergy with its Two Countries, One Destination campaign.
The first four routes are Chiang Mai-Luang Prabang and Chiang Mai-Vientiane on Bangkok Airways and Bangkok (Don Mueang)-Mandalay by Nok Air, kicking off in October, and Bangkok (Don Mueang)-Vientiane on AirAsia, starting July 1.
Bangkok Airways and AirAsia will offer seven flights a week, while Nok Air will have three flights a week.
The TAT said foreign tourists, especially Europeans, want to visit more than one country when travelling in the region.
The agency organised the Mega Caravan to Asean (Thailand-Laos-Vietnam-Cambodia) in January this year and the Mega FAM Trip between Thailand and Myanmar last year. The Mega FAM Trip created awareness of tourism connectivity, while providing insights and inspiration to build multi-destination itineraries among various countries.
Next year Asean will celebrate its 50th anniversary with the Visit Asean@50 campaign.
The TAT is preparing to introduce the Asean Bucket List 50 Things to Discover Aseaness campaign. It will recommend destinations in the 10 Asean countries that can be linked together and reflect the region's uniqueness.
The authority organised the Thailand Travel Mart 2016 Plus Amazing Gateway to the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) in Chiang Mai this week, with 850 delegates scheduled from 55 countries. The event runs through Friday.
Some 345 vendors from GMS countries were reported, with 305 buyers, 110 trade visitors and more than 100 local and international media.
"The Asean market has potential to grow despite the global economic slowdown," Mr Yuthasak said.
The TAT has prioritised the Asean market, not only wooing Asean tourists to visit Thailand but also working closely with member nations to promote regional tourism.
Vu Nam, deputy director-general of the Tourism Marketing Department in Vietnam, said Asean countries are cooperating to boost regional tourism. He said Unesco World Heritage Sites in Golden Triangle countries remain big draws.