| Thailand’s cruise focus

THAILAND is planning to attract more cruise tourists through its Andaman Gateway initiative, which aims to boost cruise opportunities for Southeast Asia.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will position Phuket as the focal point of a plan to turn the destination into a cruise tourism hub, via the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle project.

TAT officials outlined the vision at the recent Thailand Boat Festival, using the Andaman Gateway to connect Thai coastal areas with other regional cruise hubs like Langkawi and Sabang.

A key focus will be boosting the region’s appeal to affluent tourists through the development of a series of high-end, exclusive travel packages designed specifically for this sector.

TAT also plans to align maritime infrastructure and regulations, creating a blue economy across the three nations.

The initiative stresses the importance of sustainable tourism that benefits local communities, with Wajanan Silpawornwiwat, executive director of TAT’s Southern region, highlighting Phuket as central to the plan, while ensuring the entire region benefits.

TAT’s focus is also on ensuring its marine tourism sector is not only economically lucrative, but environmentally responsible.

This latest push follows a renewed focus on cruise tourism from the destination over the past 12 months.

TAT last year partnered with the newly revived Star Cruises to home port Star Voyager in Laem Chabang, operating two five-night sailings visiting Ko Samui and Singapore (CW 01 May).

Other lines with stops in Thailand planned in the next few years include Atlas Ocean Voyages (CW yesterday), Azamara Cruises (CW 05 Dec), and Explora Journeys (CW 11 Sep), as well as The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Oceania Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and more. MS