British tourists and Thailand

According to the Key Note (2010) reveals that in UK outbound market, number of people traveling abroad in July 2010 shows 20% to 30% increase from the previous year. However, it appears that global economy's condotion affects this condotion, where office for National Statistics (2011) summarised that there has been a decresed of 1% in the number of UK residents' who travel abroad. Morevoer, their expenditure abroad also decrese by 5% to 6 Billion Poundsterling.

Regardless of the decresing number of people who travel abroad, it appears that those who are traveling has incresingly interested in going to long-haul destiantions, choosing more varied destinations and going further away (Travel Counsellors, 2007a). Heathrow Airport operators also confirmed this trend (Travel Counsellors, 2007b), where long haul flights are becoming more popular. Hence, as a long-haul destination for British tourists, Thialand has the chance to tap into this growing market and compete with other long-haul destinations.

UK has been of the leading European countries in trems of their tourists' arrival in Thailand. According to Thailand Tourism (2010), UK is among the key markets for Thailand tourism. The complete profile of British travellers to Thailand as observed ( Misnistry of Tourism and Sport, 2010). according to the data, the highest number of British tourists were in the age group of  25 to 34 and followed by 35 to 44. The highest number of visitors are those who work as professionals and business managers. Furthermore, male visitors have been consistently higher in number compared to famale visitors.