It seems the “thing to do” amongst Asian tourism authorities these days is to add an adjective in-front of their name and use it as a marketing slogan—you have Incredible India, Unseen Thailand, Uniquely Singapore, and a few I can’t remember but am positive exist for South Korea and Japan.
Unseen Thailand and the Tourism Authority of Thailand probably have one of the most developed tourist infrastructures in all of Asia, especially compared to India. I think the number and popularity as a tourist destination definitely show for it. TAT does a really good job of getting out there and promoting Thailand. When I worked in the hotel industry, we often received site-inspection visits arranged by TAT offices abroad—from the U.S., Russia, Europe, etc.
Are the marketing costs worth it? I think in Thailand’s case definitely; their whole economy is based around tourism and they have a full blown program, starting with advertising abroad, but also following through with support services for tourists who do make the journey.
But this post is really about me finding it not quite as easy getting around India as Thailand and the rest of the Southeast Asian hippy trails. Despite the relatively high percentage of natives who speak English, the tourism network in India is nonexistent. When you go to visit the Gateway to India and the Taj Hotel next door, there really aren’t many signs, tourist maps, historic information, or even tour guides around to help you. I walked right by the Taj, not even knowing its significance until later!
No boubt Thailand and India are some of the best holiday destination in the World