Regional Air Connectivity Supports Tourism Growth in Thailand

TAT Advances Fly and Drive Tourism Strategy

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has held discussions with representatives from the Ministry of Transport, the Department of Airports (DOA), Thai Airways International, and other stakeholders to explore ways to strengthen regional air connectivity and expand its Fly and Drive tourism strategy.

The meeting, held on 2 June 2026, focused on improving access to regional destinations, supporting domestic tourism, and encouraging greater visitor spending across the country.

According to TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, air connectivity remains an important element of Thailand’s tourism development plans. By linking regional airports with local travel experiences, the agency aims to create additional opportunities for destinations beyond the country’s primary tourism gateways.

Discussions also addressed challenges facing the tourism sector, including increased competition among destinations and higher airline operating costs. Participants explored ways to align tourism marketing, route development and airport utilisation to support travel demand during the second half of 2026.

As part of the initiative, TAT outlined marketing support for eight destinations connected through the Department of Airports network under its “3-3-1-1” route programme, running from June to September 2026.

The programme includes three destinations in northeastern Thailand: Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani and Khon Kaen. In southern Thailand, the focus destinations are Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani. Prachuap Khiri Khan, served by Hua Hin Airport, represents central Thailand, while Nan is the selected destination in the north.

The Fly and Drive concept encourages travellers to combine domestic flights with self-drive journeys to surrounding attractions and secondary destinations. The approach is intended to improve access to regional tourism areas while creating additional travel routes throughout the country.

TAT also presented plans to strengthen Thailand’s position as an aviation and tourism hub. Proposed measures include developing tourism products for transit passengers, creating short-stay experiences for travellers with longer layovers and exploring air travel segments such as seaplanes, private aviation and helicopter services to improve access to selected destinations.

Additional discussions covered data-driven tourism marketing, domestic aviation cost management, integrated transport connections across air, rail, road and water networks, and collaborative promotional campaigns designed to improve the overall visitor experience.

The meeting also considered forming a joint working group to support the implementation of initiatives related to tourism promotion, route development, and regional travel growth.

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