Thailand 'attracting luxury travellers'

Thailand is becoming an increasingly popular destination among people looking for some luxury on their holidays, it has been claimed.

Alyson Cook, editor of Luxury Travel magazine, said that a broad range of customer types are often interested in Thailand, from young people on honeymoons to baby boomers.

She claimed that one of the country's strengths is its diversity – with adventurous activities just as accessible as trips to the beach – as well as its range of boutique hotels.

"The boutique hotel market is a growing aspect of what they have to offer in that part of Asia, and that appeals to the baby boomers looking for more privacy and…more understated luxury," Ms Cook said.

"Thailand has cornered that market. They have also perfected the spa side of the market and that, increasingly, is very high on the luxury travellers' list – a decent spa is almost a pre-requisite."

The magazine editor said that, while Thailand's reputation as a backpacking destination still exists, the country is slowly beginning to move away from that image.

She pointed out that the country's government is now targeting more visitors from the luxury sector than the backpacking market.

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