BANGKOK: On October 10, Dusit Thani Hua Hin hosted a wedding ceremony for 90 couples in a first-of-its-kind event in Thailand. In association with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Dusit Thani Hua Hin hosted a very special wedding ceremony this month when it welcomed 90 couples from China who married en masse in a first of its kind event in Thailand. Also the first of a planned series involving 999 couples, the colorful and celebratory event which is expected to generate widespread media coverage both in China and in Thailand featured an elaborate and detailed ceremony that involved the bridal procession and full Thai wedding traditions. Thai cultural performances added a special atmosphere to what was literally a happy marriage of tradition and culture hosted by one of Thailand's leading resort hotels. “We are honored and proud to play host to such a joyous and significant event," said James Ramage, Dusit International Assistant Vice President – Sales. “The wedding ceremony reflected the increasing significance of China as a major source of visitors to Thailand and of an emerging market for weddings and honeymoons. As one of the country's leading hotel groups Dusit International is pleased to play such an important role for this very special occasion," he added. TAT governor Suraphon Svetasreni said, “We expect this ceremony to receive wide coverage in the Chinese media and stimulate further interest in the Chinese market about getting married in Thailand. At the same time, it will also help us promote destinations such as Hua Hin and Cha-am which are still relatively unknown in the Chinese market." Dusit International views China as one of the key growth markets globally. Chinese arrivals to Thailand during the first six months of 2012 were reported as more than 1,124,000 visitors, while Dusit International shows an increase in the number of Chinese guests of some 67 percent over a similar period in 2011. At the same time, the Chinese wedding market which sees around 10 million nuptials a year is witnessing an increasing trend to look abroad to countries such as Thailand that can offer exotic destinations for both weddings and honeymoons.
