The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has teamed up with Thai Airways to celebrate the launch of the national carrier’s new Beijing-Phuket flights.

The new route marks THAI’s first direct service from mainland China to Phuket, and its launch is being celebrated with a three-day fam trip to Phuket for Chinese travel agents and members of the media.

“This new THAI route is vital as Phuket becomes ever more popular with tourists and travellers from China who can now conveniently come here for weekends,” said Bangornrat Chinaprayoon, director of TAT’s Beijing office.

“Phuket is a high quality, must-see tropical destination and this new air access will allow tourists from our largest market to fly here directly with no hassles.”

THAI will now operate four weekly flights between Beijing and Phuket using a 264-seat Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

The route is being promoted under a “Phuket Express” campaign, which highlights the fact that THAI is now flying direct between mainland China and Phuket.