The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in collaboration with various tourism agencies in Krabi Province, recently welcomed 294 tourists arriving directly from Warsaw, Poland, to Krabi International Airport. This inaugural charter flight, operated by LOT Polish Airlines, marks a significant development in enhancing travel options for Polish visitors, particularly during the winter season.
Ms. Suladda Sarutilawan, Director of the European Region at TAT, emphasized the organization’s commitment to expanding the quality tourist market from long-distance regions. By partnering with local stakeholders, TAT aims to stimulate travel to Thailand, which has become a favored destination for Polish tourists. Historically, there were no direct scheduled flights from Poland during the winter season of 2024-2025. However, ITAKA, a prominent Polish tour operator, has now introduced charter flights to both Bangkok and Krabi, catering to this high-spending demographic. This initiative is expected to broaden travel opportunities for Polish tourists to popular seaside destinations like Krabi and Phuket. Additionally, the Thai government has implemented measures to facilitate travel, including a visa exemption for tourists from 93 countries, allowing stays of up to 60 days.
Ms. Suladda projected that Thailand could attract approximately 175,000 Polish tourists in 2024, surpassing the initial target of 172,000. The Polish market is recognized as a lucrative segment; in 2023, 121,700 Polish tourists visited Thailand, averaging a stay of 15.61 days and spending around 53,302.38 baht per trip, generating an impressive total tourism income of 6,487 million baht. As of mid-December 2024, the number of Polish tourists traveling to Thailand has already reached 163,403, reflecting a 48.34 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Polish tourists are particularly drawn to beach destinations in the Andaman Sea, including Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi.
TAT anticipates that marketing efforts in conjunction with local tour companies, such as ITAKA, will further promote travel to additional destinations within Thailand, including Chonburi (Pattaya), Bangkok, Rayong, Phang Nga (Khao Lak), and Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin). The arrival of the first direct flight from Poland to Krabi on December 21, 2024, signifies a pivotal step in attracting high-quality tourists from Poland to Thailand’s southern Andaman Sea region.
