TAT AND THAI AIRWAYS INVITE FRENCH COUPLES TO GET MARRIED IN CHIANG MAI

Fifteen couples from France and the Benelux countries have tied the knot in a traditional Lanna Thai ceremony held in Northern Thailand as part of a partially sponsored event organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Airways International.
The invitations to get married in Thailand were part of a campaign undertaken in France to attract the weddings and honeymoon market. The ceremonies took place at the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi in Chiang Mai during 18-20 June 2009.
More than 300,000 couples tie the knot in France every year, with many of them choosing a foreign destination for the wedding ceremony and/or honeymoon. The average budget is estimated at 2,100 Euro per person (100,000 baht per person).
Known as the Rose of the North, Chiang Mai was chosen for this campaign because it is the cultural and tourism centre of Northern Thailand. Although it has undergone considerable economic development, it still retains its historic heritage of hill tribes, wood-carving factories and the country’s largest village of traditional handicrafts, as well as the famous umbrella-painters. It is also becoming increasingly well-known as a center of traditional Thai massage, meditation, spas, health and wellness.
In 2007, it attracted 5.35 million visitors, of whom 3.6 million were Thais and 1.7 million foreigners.
The TAT Paris office invited couples to get married in Thailand through its French-language website www.tourismethaifr.com. Interested couples who flew Thai Airways International for their wedding would be provided with sponsored accommodation, transportation, Thai cultural & traditional activities, and a wedding party in Lanna style.
The TAT invited along some French celebrities, such as top super model, Ms. Melanie Rodriguez, winner of Top Model France 2009, Mrs. Celia Jourdheuil, first runner up of Miss France 1999, and Mrs. Soledad Franco, presenter of French Cable TV.
Also in the group were representatives of major travel agents such as Kuoni Emotion, Privilege Voyages, Directouris, Voyagerous du Monde, Best Tour and Voyage Associate, as well as fashion and tourism magazines such as OUI Magazine, Milles Mariages Magazine, www.elleadore.com, le Journal des Grandes Ecoles.
The couples arrived at Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi Hotel on 18 June and were given a detailed briefing of the programme and various arrangements. The wedding ceremony took place the following day. On 20 June, the newly-weds enjoyed visits to the renowned Thai elephant sanctuary “Mae Tang River Camp.”
The couples also experienced the Thai Orchid school, participated in a Thai cooking class, visited prominent Chiang Mai tourist spots such as Doi Suthep, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and enjoyed an Aromatherapy Hot Oil Massage.
After the wedding ceremony, TAT invited two celebrity couples to honeymoon in Samui, together with some of the accompanying media.
In recent years, Thailand has become one of the world's most popular travel destinations for weddings and honeymoons. Many couples choose Thailand because they wish to tie the knot in a land renowned for its sense of grace and style, following customs and ceremonies with rich roots in Buddhist culture. The secluded, all-inclusive resorts are perfect for honeymoons.
Wedding planners — either independent or affiliated with tourist hotels and resorts — offer highly personalised services in choosing and arranging the most appropriate activities and events for each client's taste and budget, such as traditional Thai wedding costumes and ceremonies or more contemporary, custom-designed events.
France is now the fourth biggest source of visitor arrivals from Europe, after Germany, UK and Sweden. In 2008, visitor arrivals from France totalled 396,388, up 6.24 over 2007.
In 2009, TAT expects to welcome about 408,000 (+ 3%) French visitors. French citizens get visa-free entry to Thailand. Recent trends indicate strong growth in female visitors, repeat visitors, independent travellers, business travellers, convention delegates, senior citizens and young people.