Thailand Welcomes UK Travel Agents as ONYX Showcases Amari, OZO and Oriental Residence Hotels

Thailand tourism gains momentum as ONYX Hospitality Group strengthens UK travel trade partnerships through two familiarisation trips in October 2026. Working with Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways and hospitality partners, the company is showcasing five hotels across Bangkok, Koh Samui and Phuket, helping British travel agents develop stronger destination knowledge.

ONYX Hospitality Group Strengthens Its UK Travel Trade Presence

ONYX Hospitality Group is expanding its engagement with the British travel industry through two familiarisation trips designed to give travel agents practical experience of Thailand’s accommodation and tourism offerings.

The October programmes bring together airline partners, hotel operators and tourism specialists to help UK agents understand different destinations, hotel categories and holiday experiences.

The initiative focuses on three ONYX brands: Amari, OZO and Oriental Residence. Together, they serve travellers seeking beachfront resorts, contemporary accommodation and luxury city stays.

For the UK travel trade, these experiences provide opportunities to assess hotels directly, understand their locations and recommend suitable accommodation to customers planning holidays in Thailand.

Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways Support Multi-Destination Training

The first familiarisation trip, held from 3 to 12 October 2026, involved representatives from Hays Travel, Trailfinders, Gold Medal, Not Just Travel, Travel Counsellors and Flight Centre.

Organised with Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways and other tourism partners, the programme introduced agents to Thailand’s varied tourism experiences.

Participants visited Amari Koh Samui, a beachfront resort close to Chaweng Beach, suitable for couples, families and leisure travellers.

In Bangkok, agents explored Amari Bangkok, located in the Ratchaprasong shopping district, and Oriental Residence Bangkok, a luxury property on Wireless Road.

The itinerary also included Elephant Hills’ Bush Camp in Chiang Mai, Outrigger Koh Samui and Haad Tien Beach Resort on Koh Tao.

These experiences demonstrated how travel agents can combine cities, islands, wildlife encounters and coastal accommodation into multi-centre Thailand holidays.

Phuket Familiarisation Trip Attracts More Than 50 Applications

ONYX’s second October initiative focuses on Phuket and is organised alongside Outrigger and Elephant Hills.

The programme attracted more than 50 applications from UK travel agents, despite participants being required to pay for their international flights.

The response indicates strong interest in first-hand destination training among British travel professionals.

Two ONYX properties feature in the Phuket programme.

Amari Phuket overlooks Patong Bay and offers a beachfront environment close to the island’s entertainment, dining and shopping attractions.

OZO Phuket, situated in Kata, provides contemporary accommodation with family-friendly facilities and convenient beach access.

By presenting these different hotel experiences, ONYX aims to help agents recommend accommodation according to customer budgets, holiday expectations and preferred locations.

Social Media Becomes Part of Travel Agent Training

The Phuket programme places particular emphasis on agents who actively use social media to communicate with customers.

This approach reflects the growing influence of travel videos, destination photography and personal recommendations on holiday planning.

Agents experiencing hotels directly can produce content based on their observations, providing prospective travellers with practical information about accommodation, surroundings and facilities.

For ONYX, this creates an opportunity to extend destination awareness beyond the participating agents and reach wider audiences through established travel trade networks.

It also connects traditional travel agent training with digital marketing, an increasingly important consideration for hospitality companies competing for international visitors.

ONYX Prepares for World Travel Market London 2026

The company’s UK sales representatives, Andrea Hogg and Michael Wareham, continue to support relationships with travel agents, tour operators and commercial partners.

Both are scheduled to attend World Travel Market London from 3 to 5 November 2026 at ExCeL London.

Their participation will provide opportunities to discuss ONYX’s hotel portfolio and identify potential partnerships with British and international travel businesses.

The company’s Thailand portfolio spans Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui, Pattaya and Hua Hin, covering several established leisure and urban destinations.

First-Hand Hotel Experience Supports Thailand Holiday Sales

Jihai Kim, Vice President, Global Sales & Distribution Strategy & Partnerships at ONYX Hospitality Group, emphasised the importance of direct destination experience in helping agents recommend hotels confidently.

The company views familiarisation programmes as an investment in long-term travel trade relationships rather than simply promotional visits.

By combining airline partnerships, hotel inspections and destination experiences, ONYX is helping agents develop the knowledge required to create personalised Thailand itineraries.

The initiative also demonstrates how hospitality companies can strengthen their distribution networks through practical product education and closer cooperation with travel professionals.

Conclusive Summary — 50 Words

ONYX Hospitality Group’s October familiarisation trips underline Thailand’s importance to the UK travel market. By combining hotel experiences, airline partnerships and digital engagement, the company is strengthening agent knowledge and commercial relationships. Its upcoming participation at World Travel Market London offers further opportunities to develop international tourism partnerships.