A global leader in the tourism industry, Thailand leads the pack in crafting strategies to attract domestic and international tourists to its shores. From offering cultural and religious attractions to food crawls of its Michelin-starred restaurants to swimming in its amazing beaches, Thailand is at the top of the game regarding its tourism initiatives.
For example, the country is gearing up for the nationwide “Grand Tourism and Sports Year,” a year-long calendar of activities ranging from wellness, luxury, sports, and romantic celebrations.
And for the country’s top island destination, the calendar of events for the year is about to bring millions of tourists to its shores, creating a lively and exciting Phuket for 2025.
What is the Grand Tourism and Sports Year in Thailand?
The Grand Tourism and Sports Year in Thailand is the country’s primary tourism campaign for 2025. It combines sports tourism and special events to attract foreign tourists all year.
Sports tourism became a proven strategy for the Tourism Authority of Thailand in 2024, as Phuket did not experience a typical “low season,” commonly occurring during the monsoon or wet season in the Southeast Asian region. From May to November, the tourism ministry organized several international sports events to attract athletes and spectators to the island.
In 2024, the island enjoyed over 29 million tourists during the first 10 months, bringing about 360 Billion Baht by September, or an average of 40 Billion Baht per month.
For 2025, the country is making significant investments to ensure its reputation as a top tourist destination with a calendar of sports and special events focusing on four niche markets. These markets are wellness, luxury, sports, and honeymoons. With these four niches, there are five destinations in the country recorded to attract the most travelers: Pattaya, Bangkok, Krabi, Samui, and, of course, Phuket.
Related article: Adventure Sports in Phuket for Thrill-Seeking Travelers
The 5 Primary Campaigns
Mr. Sorawong Thienthong is Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, and he revealed the 2025 tourism campaign at the Amazing Thailand Press Conference, held at the World Travel Market 2024.
The announcement included news of new attractions, global collaboration, and cultural celebrations to bolster the country’s tourism industry. This campaign aims to attract and welcome foreign tourism around the globe, with a target of 40 million visitors and a revenue goal of 3.4 trillion for 2025.
The campaign features five primary campaigns: Grand Festivity, Grand Moment, Grand Privilege, Grand Invitation, and Grand Celebration.
Grand Festivity will focus on hosting significant scale events throughout the country in strategic destinations, which include Phuket. Grand Moment will offer unique and exclusive travel routes, while Grant Privilege will provide seamless travel experiences that include tour packages, flights, and shopping.
Grand Invitation, on the other hand, will be about inviting pop stars, celebrities, and Nobel laureates to come and join the country’s events. Lastly, the Grand Celebration will host celebratory events, including sports tourism and special occasions.
Phuket’s Role in the Campaign
Even before the start of 2025, Phuket already has a long list of special events and sports tourism activities lined up. With more than 30 diverse events and counting, the island’s calendar will be for public viewing at the start of the year and onwards.
This calendar allows tourists and potential visitors to check out sports competitions and special events that might interest them or would fall on their travel dates. Private and government organizations are also encouraged to collaborate and submit significant information to the tourism ministry to ensure the proper dissemination of information to all parties involved.
Speaking of diverse events, some of the scheduled sports tourism and special events for 2025 happening in Phuket include:
- The Thailand International Boat Show
- The 28th Phuket Regatta
- Chinese New Year 2025
- Phuket Old Town Festival
- Songkran 2025
- Laguna Phuket Triathlon
Related article: Phuket’s Most Popular Festivals and When They Happen
Music festivals, surfing and diving events, beach volleyball, film festivals, and more are lined up on the island, aimed at targeting a global audience on the shores of Phuket all year long. Offering natural beauty and cultural significance, the island is also home to world-class sports facilities catering to international games and competitions.
Added strategies the tourism authority is doing include extending tourist visas, making payment options easier for foreign tourists, collaborating with government agencies to streamline travelling to the country and its islands, offering tours that cater to sports tourism, and so much more.
For 2025, Thailand’s target of 3.4 Trillion Baht in revenue is a possible success with the Grand Tourism and Sports Year campaign in full swing.
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Featured Image by Pelago
