The Thailand’s Luckiest visitor arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport on 28 July, 2015, to a surprise welcome by the executives and representatives of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Thai Airways International Public Co., Ltd., the Immigration Bureau, Airports of Thailand Public Co., Ltd., and True Corporation Public Co., Ltd.

Mr. Sugree Sithivanich, TAT’s Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications , along with Thai tourism industry executives jointly welcome Mr. AL Shaqsi Yaqdhan Hamad Khalifa, Thailand’s 17 millionth visitor for this year.

As part of a “Green Season” marketing strategy, every millionth visitor to the country is being welcomed at Thailand’s international aviation gateways until 30 September, 2015.

The lucky visitors are being pleasantly surprised to receive two economy-class return air tickets from their international port of origin to Thailand along with a five-night accommodation voucher, a “Thailand’s Luckiest Visitor” certificate as well as other prizes from TAT’s project partners. The trips have a validity period of one year.

The activity is designed to support the “2015 Discover Thainess” umbrella campaign, which aims to highlight the endless charm of Thailand, the diversity of destinations, the flavours of Thai cuisine, fascinating uniqueness of the traditions and culture, as well as the friendliness of its people.

Mr. AL Shaqsi Yaqdhan Hamad Khalifa from Oman, Thailand’s 17 millionth visitor for this year, and his family.

Thailand welcomed the 13 millionth visitor on 13 June, 2015, followed by the 14 millionth visitor on 21 June, the 15 millionth on 5 July, the 16 millionth on 15 July, 2015, and now the latest 17 millionth visitor on 28 July 2015.

Mr. Sugree Sithivanich, TAT’s Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications said, “We are extremely happy to see visitor arrivals to Thailand going up by a million every 10-15 days on average, especially during what is supposed to be an off-season period. This marketing gimmick to reward the millionth visitor generates positive publicity over social media.”

According to the preliminary figures released by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Thailand welcomed a total of 15.81 million visitors between January to 12 July, 2015, a 30.31 percent increase over the same period of 2014. This generated tourism income of 741.12 billion Baht, a 30.43 percent growth over the same period of last year. TAT is projecting 28.8 million visitors in 2015.