The credit-card market leader Krungthai Card Plc (KTC) is building its internet platform to provide one-stop services to the tourist market, capitalising on growing internet spending.
"Internet spending using KTC credit cards has increased thanks to the rapid growth of internet users the past few years, as more Thais are accustomed to spending over the internet," said Pittaya Vorapanyasakul, executive vice-president for travel and leisure marketing of KTC, the credit-card subsidiary of state-owned Krung Thai Bank.
In 2012, tourism-related spending over the internet by KTC clients accounted for some 30% of the company's total spending, an increase of 25% from the year before.
Customers were particularly keen to use its best-price air booking service introduced five months ago, said Ms Pittaya.
For the offline market, which accounted for 70% of KTC cardholders' total spending, the company planned to upgrade its call-centre service. In the past, it had eight to 10 specialists helping clients book tickets and answer questions.
This year, it will add a trip-planner service to design trips for clients under the one-stop-service concept. This service will provide clients a call-back within one day from its call centre.
The company is looking to expand its partnerships in addition to Quality Express, Bangkok Travel Club, Travel Design Air, Num Sao Tour, and Global Union Express. Its business partners gain access to about 1.6 million KTC cardholders, and cardholders use their cards for tourism-related services from the partners free of charge.
Shares of KTC closed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand at 35.75 baht yesterday, down 50 satang, in trade worth 95.55 million baht.