Travel firms to target Japanese seniors

Thai travel operators should target Japanese senior citizens and encourage longer stays in future promotions, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

''Operators only offer activities such as golf and even persuade them to reside in Thailand for good. This is the wrong concept as the elderly do not want to leave home permanently but do love to travel abroad during the winter in Japan,'' said Patchaneelux Swatdee, the director of the TAT's Tokyo office.

Japanese seniors are wealthy and fond of experiencing world historic sites, learning about foreign cultures and experiencing nature, she noted. ''Thus, Thai operators have to study the information comprehensively and prepare attractive tourism programmes to attract them.''

The market potential of Japanese senior citizens is huge. A UN report notes that about nine million Japanese would reach retirement age from 2007-10 and that in 2010, the proportion of people over 60 would reach 30% of Japan's total population.



Bangkok Post, Thailand