High season in Thailand 2025: how travel agencies can effectively prepare

Thailand's high season traditionally falls between November and March, peaking in December and February. In 2025, the tourist flow promises to be a record in recent years due to the expansion of air traffic, visa exemptions and the active growth of the premium segment. For travel agencies, this means both new opportunities and serious challenges that require strategic planning.

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Logistics and infrastructure: new challenges

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The expansion of international flights has become one of the key drivers of tourist growth. In 2025, new flights to Phuket and Bangkok were launched from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, New York, Frankfurt, Milan and other major European cities. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, the total number of international flights increased by 18% compared to 2024.

However, along with the increase in tourist traffic, the pressure on infrastructure is increasing:

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• Transfers and transportation: During the high season, there is a shortage of VIP cars and minibuses, and the waiting time for transfers increases by 1.5 times.
• Guides and attendants: There are not enough qualified Russian-speaking and English-speaking guides, especially for individual excursions and sea tours.
• Logistics on the islands: Overcrowded piers and limited yacht mooring opportunities risk disrupting pre-planned programs.
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Even approved services are sometimes in danger of being disrupted due to system congestion. To work successfully, agencies require detailed logistical training and partnerships with local companies that have priority access to reliable suppliers and can quickly adapt to schedule changes.

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Premium audience requests

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Wealthy tourists, who make up a significant part of the high season, are becoming increasingly demanding on the quality and exclusivity of their holidays. The main trends are:

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• high demand for villas with staff (cook, housekeeper, butler), which ensures privacy and a high level of service;
• individual sea tours on yachts and catamarans with personal itineraries, chefs and private beaches;
• boutique hotels and wellness centers with a small number of rooms and wellness programs;
• private excursions and retreats, which require careful coordination and often include closed locations that are inaccessible to mass tourism.

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These offers are limited and sell out 3 to 6 months before arrival during peak demand periods. To guarantee their customers access to the best options, it is important for travel agencies to have direct contacts with property owners and local operators whose resources are not always available on the open market.

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How to use the season's potential

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To work as efficiently as possible during the high season of 2025, travel agencies are advised to:

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• start sales and bookings 6 to 9 months before travel, especially during December, February and holidays
• offer comprehensive programs: accommodation, transfers, VIP service, excursions and gourmet dinners;
• collaborate with by host companieswith direct access to exclusive villas, yachts and trusted suppliers;
• coordinate non-standard requests in advance (event organization, children's clubs with Russian-speaking animators, private chefs);
• utilize dynamic pricingin order to respond in a timely manner to rising prices and the shortage of properties.

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New opportunities

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The 2025 high season also offers new opportunities:

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• segment expansion wellness tourism and meditative retreats;
• increased demand for original routes on non-tourist regions of Thailand (Chiang Mai, Krabi, national parks);
• active development gastronomic tourism — private dinners with Michelin chefs, food tours and festivals.

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Conclusion

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The 2025 season will be a serious test for Thailand's tourism infrastructure, but it will also open up new opportunities for agencies that are ready for early planning and a personalized approach. Working with an experienced host and booking in advance will help you control key stages of the journey, provide access to exclusive services and offer a premium audience a vacation without compromising on quality.

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