Central Group has partnered with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to turn the country into a world-class tourism destination, rolling out major events and year-end campaigns to capitalise on the tourism recovery.
The group said the number of foreign tourists visiting its malls, department stores and affiliated businesses this year almost doubled compared with 2024.
From Jan 1 to Sept 14, 22.9 million tourists visited Thailand, generating more than 1 trillion baht, with the upcoming high season expected to post a significant increase in both short-haul and long-haul arrivals, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry.
Achara Wisuttiwongrat, head of corporate marketing, communication & sustainability at Central Group, said the company is committed to leveraging its business potential to support all TAT campaigns, attracting quality tourists, stimulating spending, and distributing income to major cities, popular tourist destinations, as well as secondary and emerging cities and community areas nationwide.
Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, chief marketing officer at Central Pattana (CPN), said that in the fourth quarter the company expects tourist spending to increase by 50% year-on-year, with target markets comprising Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, India, the US, Russia, the UK, and the Middle East.
CPN previously launched Central Park in Bangkok in September and plans to open Central Krabi on Oct 24.
Throughout October, CPN will host the “Amazing Thailand Grand Diwali Festival” to celebrate the Indian festival of lights through various marketing activities.
CPN is also supporting “Nihao Month” by offering welcome packages with special store discounts for Chinese tourists, together with a special Chinese Golden Week Celebration campaign across tourist malls nationwide.
Highlights for the year-end celebration will include the CentralWorld Bangkok Countdown 2026 and the World’s Great Celebration campaign across 43 shopping centres nationwide. Mega events and promotions will be rolled out across the country, boosting the economy and tourism in the final quarter.
Piyawan Leelasompop, head of marketing at Central Retail Corporation Plc (CRC), said the company has prepared special campaigns at more than 3,000 CRC branches nationwide, including festive events for Golden Week, Diwali and Christmas, catering to tourists from diverse countries with fresh experiences.
“We expect to attract more than 1.5 million tourists to shop at CRC stores in the final quarter, generating over 5.2 billion baht in sales. Fashion, cosmetics and children’s products remain the most popular categories,” she said.
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the governor of TAT, said the agency is advancing its “360° Partnership Strategy” by joining forces with Central Group to offer privileges and special deals at malls, department stores, retail shops and hotels nationwide. The goal is to deliver premium experiences to tourists and stimulate year-end spending during the high season with continuous arrivals from both short-haul and long-haul markets.
Supported by TAT’s “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025”, Centara has introduced the Suite Heaven promotion with exclusive discounts and privileges for premium suite and villa stays, targeting international tourists with stays available until March 31, 2026.
The hotel group has launched the “Linger for Longer” promotion to encourage long-stay bookings among foreign visitors.
