[JaK_MarkoV_Pi]

CheapTickets, a leading global online travel agency and part of Travix International, sees high potential in Thailand's online air ticket booking.

It recently introduced its official website here with the goal of becoming a business leader in a few years.

"We like Thailand's online market because there are several travel lovers. Cheaptickets.co.th offers air fares for low-cost airlines and full-service carriers. The number of players is still small here," said Andre Hesselink, managing director of Travix International.

Thailand is its third market in Asia after Hong Kong and Singapore. The company believes Thai travellers are ready for a professional approach in online bookings.

With the US and Europe downturn, Asia is the fastest-growing region in terms of investment and tourism. That is why Expedia, the world's largest online travel company, introduced its website here recently.

Mr Hesselink said the Asean Economic Community in 2015 would drive the tourism industry to grow significantly, similar to the growth of the European Union.

More low-cost airlines and the removal of visa barriers will benefit tourism in the region, he said.

The number of internet users in Asia is estimated at only 25-30% of the total population, and only 5% of internet users in Thailand have bought online tickets, compared to 15-20% in Singapore and 40-50% in North America and Europe.

CheapTickets will introduce its website locally in China and India in 2013, then in the Philippines and Indonesia. It expects sales from Asia to contribute half of its total sales, with China and India big contributors.

The Netherlands-based company manages a portfolio of travel-focused websites operating under the brand names CheapTickets, BudgetAir, EasyToBook, Vayama, Vliewinkel, and Flugladen. Travix operates its six brands in 16 countries and has combined sales of US$1.2 billion.

[inhitoemits]

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