Market Intelligence Report — February 2026

Woo Tender BangkokIndian Tourist Market Entry Strategy

A result-oriented, ROI-focused strategy to attract India's 2.5M+ annual Thailand visitors to premium Korean-Thai dining — with minimal cash burn.

2.49M
Indian Tourists to Thailand (2025)
#3
India's Rank as Source Market
17%
YoY Growth (2024→2025)
$160
Avg Daily Spend per Tourist

Restaurant Profile: Woo Tender Bangkok

  • CuisinePremium Korean BBQ / Beef
  • SpecialtyKorean beef imported from Seoul
  • LocationSoi Ruamrudee, Lumpini, Pathumwan
  • HoursTue–Sun, 5PM–10PM
  • Price RangePremium (฿฿฿)
  • Instagram@wootender.bangkok
  • Menu FocusKorean BBQ, Stews, Soups, Soju
  • AtmosphereModern, Private Rooms, Speakeasy Entrance
  • BranchesSeoul, Bundang, Busan → Now Bangkok
  • Ratings⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 Reviews)
  • Key DishesBulgogi, Beef Sandwich, Kimchi Fried Rice
  • Contact+66 80 996 9699
⚠️ Critical Challenge: Beef-Centric Menu vs Indian Dietary Preferences

Woo Tender's menu is heavily beef-focused (Korean BBQ beef). A significant portion of Indian tourists — estimates range from 30-40% — are vegetarian, and many non-vegetarian Indians avoid beef for religious/cultural reasons (Hindu, Jain, Sikh populations). This dramatically narrows your addressable Indian audience. Additionally, pork dishes (Stewed Pork Kimchi) face similar constraints with Muslim Indian travelers.

✅ Opportunity: Target the Right Indian Segments

Not all Indians avoid beef. Your target is the cosmopolitan, well-traveled, premium-spending Indian tourist — primarily from metro cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru), ages 25–45, who are already adventurous eaters seeking authentic international cuisine experiences. This segment is smaller but has much higher spending power and is exactly who visits premium restaurants in Bangkok.

India → Thailand Tourism: The Numbers

2.49M
Indian Arrivals 2025
Up 17% from 2.13M in 2024
32.97M
Total Foreign Tourists 2025
India = 7.6% of all arrivals
342+
Weekly Flights
India–Thailand (growing rapidly)
60 Days
Visa-Free Stay
Extended "until further notice"
Indian Tourist Arrivals to Thailand (2018–2025)
Thailand's Top Source Markets (2025 Full Year — Official Data)

Top Indian Cities Sending Tourists to Bangkok

Based on DGCA city-pair passenger traffic data (via CEIC), here are the busiest India → Bangkok air corridors ranked by actual passenger volume. Note: Kolkata is the geographically closest Indian metro to Bangkok at just 1,611 km / 2h 35min flight time — a major advantage.

Busiest India–Bangkok Flight Routes (by passenger volume / seat capacity)
RankCityWeekly FlightsKey Traveler ProfileMarketing Priority
🥇 #1Delhi (DEL)60+ weeklyBusiness + Leisure mix, families, high-income couplesHighest Priority
🥈 #2Mumbai (BOM)39+ weeklyAffluent professionals, corporate groups, foodiesHighest Priority
🥉 #3Kolkata (CCU)18+ nonstopClosest metro to Bangkok (2h 35m). High load factors drive strong passenger volume. Leisure-heavy, growing premium segment.Highest Priority
#4Bengaluru (BLR)25+ weeklyTech professionals, startup crowd, 25-40 age group. More flights but longer route.High Priority
#5Hyderabad (HYD)15+ weeklyIT sector, emerging luxury segment, younger couplesMedium Priority
#6Chennai (MAA)12+ weeklyGrowing market, business travelers, film industryMedium Priority

Data source: DGCA city-pair wise international passenger traffic (via CEIC). Ranking is by total passenger volume on the Bangkok route, not just flight frequency. Kolkata's proximity (2h 35m vs 4h+ for Bengaluru) drives significantly higher load factors and passenger counts per flight.

Also emerging: Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Gaya, Kochi, and Vishakhapatnam now have direct/connecting Bangkok services.

Target Audience Definition

Given Woo Tender's beef-centric premium Korean cuisine, the target isn't "all Indian tourists" — it's a very specific, high-value slice:

Primary Target: "The Cosmopolitan Indian Foodie"

Age: 25–45 years

Income: ₹15L+ annual household income

Cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata (primary); Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai (secondary)

Dietary: Non-vegetarian, open to beef/global cuisines

Travel Style: Mid-luxury to luxury, experience-seekers

Digital: Active on Instagram, uses Google Maps reviews, follows food influencers

Indian Dietary Segmentation — Realistic Addressable Audience

Addressable Market Calculation

Total Indian tourists to Thailand annually (2025)2,490,000
Estimated visiting Bangkok (primary destination)~1,990,000 (80%)
Non-vegetarian Indians (eat meat)~1,393,000 (70%)
Willing to eat beef (cosmopolitan, no religious restriction)~475,000 (28%)
Premium dining segment (₹15L+ income, experience-seeker)~220,000 (40% of above)
Your Realistic Target Audience (annual)~220,000 Indian tourists

That's approximately 520 potential premium Indian diners per day in Bangkok — a large enough market to fill tables consistently, even with modest conversion rates.

The Dietary Challenge: Strategy & Solutions

🚫 The Problem

~30% of Indians are vegetarian. ~35% more eat non-veg but avoid beef (religious/cultural). Pork is avoided by India's 200M+ Muslims. Woo Tender's menu is heavily beef + pork focused.

Strategic Recommendations

A

Don't Try to Be Everything to Everyone

Don't try to attract vegetarian Indian tourists — that dilutes your brand and is inauthentic. Instead, lean into your beef premium positioning and target the specific Indian segment that LOVES premium beef. The K-drama/Korean culture wave (Hallyu) has created massive demand among young urban Indians for authentic Korean food experiences.

B

Add 2-3 "Indian-Friendly" Non-Beef Options (Low Cost, High ROI)

Add a premium chicken Korean BBQ option and a seafood BBQ platter. These require minimal kitchen changes but dramatically expand your addressable Indian audience from 28% to potentially 65% of non-vegetarian Indians. Also ensure at least 1-2 sides are clearly labeled vegetarian (kimchi, seaweed soup, rice dishes).

C

Highlight What Already Works

Your existing menu already has items Indians would love: Kimchi Fried Rice, Korean soups/stews, Seaweed Soup, and the overall Korean BBQ experience (interactive cooking at table). Market these prominently in Indian-targeted content. The "experience" of cooking your own meat at the table is itself a major draw.

D

Spice Level Customization

Indians love spice. Offer an optional extra-spicy sauce/condiment for your Korean BBQ. This small touch will generate enormous goodwill and social media content ("This Korean restaurant in Bangkok has Indian-level spice! 🌶️").

Result-Oriented Marketing Strategy

A phased approach designed to minimize upfront cost, maximize measurable ROI, and scale only what works.

Phase 1: Foundation (Month 1–2) — Budget: ฿30,000–50,000

Goal: Get discovered by Indian tourists already in Bangkok. Zero influencer spend.

Google Maps OptimizationAdd "Korean BBQ Bangkok" keywords, upload 20+ high-quality food photos, respond to reviews, add Hindi/English descriptionsFree
Instagram Reels (in-house)Create 3-4 reels/week showing sizzling beef, the cooking experience, restaurant ambiance. Use trending K-drama audio + Indian tourist reaction clipsFree
TripAdvisor & WongnaiClaim and optimize listings. Encourage existing Indian diners to leave reviews with a small incentive (free dessert for review)~฿5,000
Google Ads (Search)Target: "best Korean BBQ Bangkok", "premium restaurant Bangkok", "dinner in Bangkok" — geo-target Sukhumvit/Lumpini area tourists฿15,000–25,000/mo
Instagram Ads (Geo-targeted)Target Indian users currently IN Bangkok (geo-fence). Show a 15-sec sizzling beef reel with "Premium Korean BBQ — 10 min from Sukhumvit"฿10,000–20,000/mo

KPI: Track Google Maps clicks-to-directions, Instagram profile visits from India, reservation inquiries. Target: 50-100 new Indian diners/month.

Phase 2: Micro-Influencer Testing (Month 3–4) — Budget: ฿50,000–80,000

Goal: Test influencer ROI with low-cost creators before scaling.

Bangkok-based Indian food bloggersInvite 5-8 Indian food micro-influencers already living in Bangkok (10K-100K followers). Offer free dinner for honest review. No cash payment.฿15,000 (food cost)
Indian tourist UGC campaignOffer Indian diners a 10% discount if they post an Instagram story tagging @wootender.bangkok. Creates authentic UGC content.~฿10,000/mo (discount cost)
1 Mid-Tier Indian Influencer TestInvite ONE influencer (100K–500K range) visiting Bangkok. Options: Siddhartha Joshi, Larissa D'Sa. Offer hosted dinner + ฿25,000–40,000 fee.฿40,000–55,000

KPI: Track reservation code usage, Instagram mention reach, Google Maps traffic spike post-content. Calculate cost-per-acquisition.

Phase 3: Scale What Works (Month 5–8) — Budget: ฿100,000–250,000

Goal: Double down on winning channels from Phase 1-2 data.

Scale winning ad formatsIf Instagram geo-targeted ads showed best ROI, triple that budget. If Google Maps drives more walk-ins, invest there.฿50,000–100,000/mo
1 Mega Influencer CampaignIf Phase 2 influencer test showed clear ROI → partner with Kamiya Jani (Curly Tales) or Dimpi Sanghvi for a dedicated Woo Tender feature.฿150,000–400,000
Peak Season BlitzOct–Feb is peak Indian travel season. Concentrate 60% of annual spend here. Run "Indian Season Special" with dedicated Indian-friendly menu section.Included above

KPI: Revenue from Indian diners should exceed 3x marketing spend. Target: 200+ Indian diners/month.

Tactical Playbook: Detailed Strategies to Attract Indian Diners

Below are 8 concrete, actionable strategies with step-by-step implementation details. Each strategy is designed to be modular — pick the ones that fit your budget and capacity, then layer more as results come in.

Strategy 1: Google Maps & Search Dominance

Free – ฿15,000/mo Highest ROI

Why it matters: 80%+ of Indian tourists in Bangkok search "best Korean BBQ near me" or "dinner near Sukhumvit" on Google Maps before choosing a restaurant. Your Google Business Profile IS your storefront for tourists.

ActionDetails
Optimize Google Business ProfileAdd all keywords: "Korean BBQ Bangkok", "Premium Beef BBQ", "Imported Korean Beef", "Best Korean Restaurant Bangkok", "Bangkok dinner experience". Write descriptions in English with select Hindi keywords (e.g. "कोरियन बीबीक्यू बैंकॉक"). Add accurate hours, phone, reservation link.
Photo strategyUpload 30+ professional photos: sizzling beef on grill (hero shot), restaurant interior, private dining rooms, each menu item plated, the speakeasy entrance, soju selection. Re-upload 3-5 new photos monthly to stay fresh in algorithm.
Review generationTrain staff to politely ask Indian diners for a Google review as they pay the bill. Offer a free Korean dessert or complimentary soju shot for reviews mentioning "Korean BBQ" or "Indian visitor." Aim for 50+ reviews from Indian tourists within 3 months.
Google Ads — SearchRun search ads targeting: "Korean BBQ Bangkok", "best dinner Bangkok tonight", "premium restaurant Lumpini", "where to eat Bangkok". Geo-target within 5km of Sukhumvit/Siam/Silom tourist belt. Language: English. Budget: ฿500-800/day. Track click-to-call and click-to-directions conversions.
Google Ads — MapsRun "Local Campaign" ads so Woo Tender appears as a promoted pin when tourists search restaurants on Google Maps. This is the highest-intent advertising — they're literally looking for where to eat RIGHT NOW.
💡 Pro Tip: The "Near Me" Hack

Indian tourists overwhelmingly use "near me" searches. Make sure your Google listing has the exact street address, plus add "Ploenchit BTS" and "near Lumpini Park" in your description. Google Maps proximity ranking is your biggest weapon.

Strategy 2: Instagram — Geo-Targeted to Indians IN Bangkok

฿10,000–25,000/mo High Intent

Why it matters: Instagram is the #1 social platform for Indian travelers aged 22-40. By geo-fencing your ads to users currently in Bangkok, you reach only people who can visit tonight or tomorrow — zero wasted spend.

ActionDetails
In-house Reels (3-4/week)Film 15-30 second vertical videos: (1) Sizzling beef hitting the hot grill (ASMR-style), (2) The "speakeasy entrance reveal" — walk through the hidden door, (3) Indian tourists reacting to their first bite, (4) Soju pouring + cheers moment. Use trending audio (K-drama OSTs work perfectly).
Paid Reels — Geo-fencedBoost top-performing organic reels as ads. Targeting: Location = Bangkok metro area, Language = English + Hindi, Age = 22-45, Interests = Korean food, K-drama, travel, food photography. This ensures only Indian tourists in Bangkok see it.
Instagram Stories AdsRun 10-second story ads with a swipe-up to your reservation page/LINE. Show sizzling meat + text overlay: "Authentic Seoul BBQ • Walk from BTS Ploenchit • Reserve Now". Story ads are cheaper than feed ads and feel native.
Hashtag strategyUse consistently on every post: #KoreanBBQBangkok #BangkokFoodie #BangkokDinner #WooTenderBangkok #KoreanBeef #SeoulBBQ #BangkokRestaurant #ThailandFood #IndianInBangkok #BangkokNightlife
Collaboration postsWhen Indian tourists post UGC, repost their stories and ask to do a "collab post" (shared to both accounts' audiences). This gives you access to their follower networks for free.
💡 Content Formula That Works

Hook (0-3 sec): Close-up sizzle shot or hidden door reveal → Story (3-12 sec): Show the meal being prepared at the table → CTA (12-15 sec): Text overlay with location + "Reserve via link in bio." Indian audiences engage most with "experience" content that shows what they'll feel, not just what they'll eat.

Strategy 3: Ride the K-Drama & Hallyu Wave

Free – ฿10,000 Cultural Moment

Why it matters: India is one of the world's fastest-growing K-drama markets. Young Indians (especially women 18-35) are obsessed with Korean food, language, and culture. They WANT to try authentic Korean BBQ — Woo Tender just needs to be their Bangkok destination for that dream.

ActionDetails
"K-Drama Night" ExperienceCreate a themed set menu (฿1,500-2,000/person): Bulgogi + Kimchi Fried Rice + Soju cocktail. Include a photo spot with Korean-style signage or neon. Market as "Live your K-drama dinner scene." Run this 2-3 nights per week during peak season (Oct-Feb).
K-drama-themed contentCreate reels that reference popular K-dramas Indians love: "Eating like [character] in Bangkok" or "If [show] was set in Bangkok, they'd eat here." Use trending K-drama OST audio on reels. Indians sharing this content drives organic virality.
Soju pairing menuCreate a "Soju Experience" card at each table: explain different soju flavors, the Korean way to pour (with two hands), and suggest pairings with each BBQ dish. Indians love learning the cultural ritual — and it drives up average spend per table.
Korean language menu touchesAdd Korean script alongside English on the menu. Include a small "Korean BBQ Guide" card at each table explaining how to grill, wrap in lettuce, and combine sauces. The educational/cultural element becomes content that Indian tourists photograph and share.

⚡ Strategy 4: Travel Agency & Tour Operator Partnerships (Pay-Per-Customer)

฿0 upfront — commission only IMMEDIATE RESULTS ZERO RISK

Why this is your #1 strategy: You pay ONLY when they deliver actual paying customers. Zero upfront cost, zero risk. A single DMC partnership can send 20-50 Indian diners per month. Tour operators, hotel concierges, and freelance guides collectively form a referral engine that compounds over time.

💰 The Pay-Per-Customer Model

Instead of spending ฿300K hoping an influencer drives results, you pay ฿150-300 per head ONLY for diners who actually walk through your door. If a DMC sends 30 groups/month (avg 3 pax each = 90 covers), your cost is ฿13,500-27,000 — but your revenue is ฿135,000-225,000. That's a 5-10x return with zero upfront risk.

4A: Bangkok-Based DMCs & Indian Tour Operators

PartnerWhy PartnerSuggested Deal Structure
Sun Leisure World
(Bangkok + India)
One of the largest Indian-focused DMCs in Thailand. 20+ years. Award-winning. They package tours for Indian travelers — if you're on their dining list, you get a direct customer pipeline.Commission: ฿150-250/person referred
OR group rate: ฿1,200-1,500/person (BBQ + drink)
Asia DMC
(Bangkok)
Handles 200+ pax MICE groups from India. Corporate incentive trips. One MICE dinner of 50 people = ฿75,000+ revenue in a single night.MICE group dinner: ฿1,500-2,000/person all-inclusive
10-15% commission to DMC
Siam DMC
(Bangkok, B2B)
Established B2B relationships with Indian travel agents. Adding Woo Tender to their dining recommendations is an easy win.Commission: ฿200/head referred
OR flat monthly listing: ฿5,000-10,000
Travel Deck DMC
(India + Bangkok)
Customer-focused, curates dining experiences. Perfect for adding premium Korean BBQ as a must-try stop.Per-referral: ฿150-200/person
Start with hosted dinner for their team
Premsukh Travel
(Bangkok, Indian-founded)
Founded by ex-Thomas Cook executive. Understands Indian traveler mindset. Direct India travel trade connections.Per-head commission
Hosted dinner for founder + team first

4B: India-Side Tour Operators (The Big Ones)

PartnerWhy PartnerSuggested Deal Structure
Kesari Tours
(Mumbai)
One of India's biggest tour operators. Runs regular Bangkok group tours. Their 'recommended dining' list = 20-40 diners/month from their groups alone.Group dinner: ฿1,200-1,500/person
Kesari gets 15% commission
SOTC Travel
(Mumbai, Thomas Cook subsidiary)
Major Indian operator. Regular Thailand packages. Their 'evening dining experience' slot is where you want to be.Group package: ฿1,200-1,500/person
10-15% commission to SOTC
MakeMyTrip / Goibibo
(Online)
India's largest OTA. Lists 'recommended restaurants' within Bangkok packages. Millions of monthly users.Sponsored placement in Bangkok dining section
฿10,000-30,000/month
Klook / GetYourGuideIndian tourists book 'food experiences' here. List a 'Premium Korean BBQ Experience' = direct bookings on autopilot.List as experience: ฿1,500-2,500/person
Platform takes 15-20% commission

4C: Hotel Concierges & Freelance Guides (FASTEST Results)

PartnerWhy PartnerSuggested Deal Structure
Hotel concierge desks
(15-20 hotels near you)
Indian guests ask concierges "where to eat?" multiple times daily. A single 5-star hotel concierge can send 10-20 Indian diners/month during peak season. This is the fastest path to customers.10% referral commission per table
OR free monthly dinner for concierge team
Provide beautiful restaurant cards + QR
Freelance Indian-speaking tour guidesThese guides take 5-15 Indians around Bangkok daily. If they recommend Woo Tender for dinner = instant customers tonight.฿300-500 commission per group delivered
OR free dinner for the guide with every group
Zero upfront cost
Hotel in-room collateralPlace Woo Tender cards in rooms of 3-5 nearby premium hotels during peak months (Oct-Feb).Printing cost + small hotel fee
Include QR code with "Hotel Guest 10% Off"
🔍 How to Find These Partners

Bangkok DMCs: Visit their offices directly (most are on Sukhumvit). Bring restaurant cards + offer a free team dinner. Also attend ATTA (Association of Thai Travel Agents) networking events.
India-side operators: Attend travel trade shows — SATTE (Delhi, Jan) and OTM (Mumbai, Feb) are the biggest. Or contact B2B divisions via their websites.
Hotel concierges: Walk in personally with cards + tasting invitation. Build the relationship face-to-face.
Freelance guides: Search "Indian guide Bangkok" on Viator and TripAdvisor. Post in Bangkok expat Facebook groups. Ask hotel concierges for guide contacts.
Full partner list: See the "Travel Agencies & Partners" tab in the accompanying Excel spreadsheet for 15 vetted partners with contact details.

💡 The Concierge Secret

Hotel concierges in Bangkok's Sukhumvit/Ploenchit area report that Indian guests ask for dining recommendations more than any other nationality. A single concierge at a 5-star hotel can send you 10-20 Indian diners per month during peak season. This is your most underrated channel.

Strategy 5: Indian-Friendly Menu Engineering

฿20,000–50,000 one-time Addressable Market 2x

Why it matters: As covered in the Dietary Challenge section, only ~28% of Indian tourists eat beef. Adding premium chicken and seafood Korean BBQ options can expand your addressable market to 65% — without diluting your brand.

ActionDetails
Add premium protein optionsPremium Chicken BBQ: Korean-marinated chicken thigh (dak-galbi style), chicken bulgogi. Seafood BBQ Platter: Prawns, squid, scallops with Korean chili glaze. Position as "Chef's Special" alongside beef, not as a cheaper alternative.
"International Guest" menu sectionCreate a clearly labeled section on the menu: "Korean BBQ — Choose Your Grill." List beef, chicken, seafood, and combination platters side by side with clear icons (🐄🐔🦐). No need to label it "vegetarian" or "halal" — just make it obvious what each dish contains.
Spice-level customizationOffer a house-made Korean chili condiment bar at each table: gochujang, extra spicy dipping sauce, green chili slices. Indians love spice and will PHOTOGRAPH an impressive chili condiment spread. This is zero-cost content generation.
Signature "Indian Fusion" dishCreate ONE signature cross-over dish: e.g., "Seoul-Spice Kimchi Fried Rice" with Indian-level heat, or "Korean BBQ Tikka" (tandoori-spiced chicken on Korean grill). This becomes your Instagrammable hero dish that Indian food bloggers talk about. Keep it limited (1-2 items) to maintain authenticity.
Group dining packagesIndian tourists typically dine in groups of 3-6. Create set menus designed for sharing: "Seoul Experience for 4" (฿5,500), "Premium Korean Feast for 6" (฿9,000). Include a mix of beef + chicken + seafood so everyone in the group finds something. This also simplifies ordering for tourists unfamiliar with Korean BBQ.

Strategy 6: The Influencer Funnel (Micro → Mid → Mega)

฿15,000 – ฿400,000 Phased Spend

Why it matters: Influencer marketing works for restaurants, but ONLY if executed in a phased approach. The biggest mistake is blowing ฿300K on a mega influencer without knowing if the audience converts. Use a funnel.

TierWhoApproachCost
Tier 1Bangkok-based Indian food bloggers (5K–50K followers)Invite 8-10 for a free dinner. No cash payment. Ask for an honest Instagram story + post. These are authentic, trusted micro-voices. Track which ones drive the most profile visits/reservations.฿20,000-30,000 (food cost only)
Tier 2Indian travel/food influencers visiting Bangkok (50K–500K followers)Monitor Indian travel influencers announcing Bangkok trips. DM them a hosted dinner invitation. For 100K+ followers, add a ฿25,000-50,000 collaboration fee. Get a reel + 3 stories + 1 post. Use a unique booking code to track conversions.฿40,000-80,000 per influencer
Tier 3Mega influencers: Kamiya Jani (Curly Tales), Dimpi Sanghvi, Bruised PassportsONLY after Tier 1 and Tier 2 show measurable ROI. Negotiate a full production: restaurant visit video, YouTube feature, Instagram series. Include their Bangkok trip as a sponsored segment featuring Woo Tender as "the dinner destination."฿150,000-400,000 per campaign
💡 Tracking Influencer ROI

Give each influencer a unique reservation code (e.g., "KAMIYA10" for 10% off). Track: (1) How many reservations use that code, (2) Instagram profile visits within 48 hours of their post, (3) Google Maps direction requests spike. If cost-per-new-diner exceeds ฿500, that influencer tier isn't working — don't scale it.

Strategy 7: User-Generated Content (UGC) & Social Proof Engine

฿5,000–10,000/mo Compounding Returns

Why it matters: Indian tourists post EVERYTHING on Instagram. They photograph every dish, every cocktail, every restaurant interior. Your job is to make the restaurant so photogenic and the incentive so compelling that they tag you every single time — turning each diner into a micro-advertiser.

ActionDetails
"Share & Save" programTable tent at every table: "Post an Instagram Story tagging @wootender.bangkok → Show your server → Get 10% off your bill." Simple, immediate, and works every time. Cost: only the discount given (~฿150-250 per table).
Instagrammable momentsDesign 2-3 photo-worthy spots inside the restaurant: (1) A neon sign in Korean + English ("Seoul Eats Bangkok" or similar), (2) The speakeasy entrance itself (already unique — lean into it), (3) A dramatic meat platter presentation on a hot stone. If people don't photograph it, it's not Instagrammable enough.
Repost & amplifyMonitor @wootender.bangkok tags daily. Repost every Indian tourist's story and post to your own account (with their permission). Comment on their posts thanking them. This builds a library of authentic Indian customer content that's more convincing than any ad.
TripAdvisor & Google review pushIndian travelers heavily rely on TripAdvisor and Google reviews when selecting restaurants abroad. Target: get into the Top 20 "Korean Restaurants in Bangkok" on TripAdvisor within 6 months. Method: ask every satisfied Indian diner for a review, respond to every review personally.
WhatsApp word-of-mouthIndian tourists share restaurant finds in family/friend WhatsApp groups constantly. Create a visually appealing "digital card" (a branded image with your best dish photo, address, Google Maps link, and a 10% discount code) that staff can AirDrop or share via LINE/WhatsApp to departing diners. They'll forward it to friends arriving in Bangkok next.

Strategy 8: Seasonal Blitz Campaigns & Special Events

฿20,000–60,000/campaign Peak Season Multiplier

Why it matters: Indian tourist traffic peaks sharply during specific periods. Running concentrated campaigns during these windows maximizes your marketing spend efficiency by 3-5x compared to year-round spending.

Season / EventWhenCampaign Idea
Diwali WeekOct/Nov"Golden BBQ Feast" — special gold-themed set menu. Decorate with subtle warm lighting. Offer complimentary dessert for Indian guests during Diwali week. Run Instagram ads 2 weeks before targeting Delhi/Mumbai/Kolkata users planning Bangkok trips.
Christmas & New YearDec 20 – Jan 5"Seoul New Year's Eve Dinner" — prix fixe Korean BBQ dinner with soju countdown. This is the single biggest week for Indian tourists in Bangkok. Triple your Instagram ad budget. Partner with nearby hotels for a "NYE Dinner Package."
Winter BreakJan – Feb"Winter Escape" set menu for couples and families. Focus ads on Bengaluru and Kolkata (tech workers + proximity travelers taking short winter breaks). Push Google Maps ads hard during this period.
Songkran + Indian SummerApril"Songkran Seoul BBQ" — Thai-Korean crossover event. Indian schools break in April, so families travel. Create a family-friendly set menu with a mix of proteins. Run ads targeting Indian family travel accounts.
Long WeekendsYear-roundIndian 3-day weekends (Republic Day, Holi, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti) drive quick Bangkok getaways. Run flash Instagram ads 5-7 days before each long weekend targeting Indian users who've recently searched Bangkok flights.
💡 Budget Allocation Rule

60% of annual marketing budget should be spent between October and February. 25% in March-April and September (shoulder seasons). 15% maintenance during May-August (monsoon/low season). Don't spread evenly — concentrate firepower when the tourists are here.

⚡ Strategy Priority Matrix — Ordered by Speed of Results

You want immediate results. Here's the implementation order — fastest payoff first:

PriorityStrategyCostTime to First CustomerExpected ROI
⚡ THIS WEEKHotel Concierge Blitz — Walk into 15-20 nearby hotels with cards฿5-10K (cards/printing)2-5 days⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⚡ THIS WEEKGoogle Maps & Search Dominance — Optimize listing, upload photosFree3-7 days⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⚡ THIS WEEKFreelance Guide Network — Find 5-10 guides, offer per-group commission฿0 upfront3-7 days⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔥 WEEK 2-3Bangkok DMC Partnerships — Contact Sun Leisure, Asia DMC, Siam DMC฿15-25K (hosted dinners)1-3 weeks⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔥 WEEK 2-3Instagram Geo-Targeted Ads — Sizzling reels to Indians in Bangkok฿10-25K/mo1-2 weeks⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔥 WEEK 2-3Indian-Friendly Menu Engineering — Add chicken/seafood BBQ options฿20-50K one-time1-2 weeks⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📅 MONTH 1-2UGC & Social Proof Engine — "Share & Save" 10% discount program฿5-10K/mo2-4 weeks⭐⭐⭐⭐
📅 MONTH 1-2India-side Tour Operators — Contact Kesari, SOTC, MakeMyTrip฿0 (commission model)3-6 weeks⭐⭐⭐⭐
📅 MONTH 1-2Klook/GetYourGuide Listing — List as bookable experience15-20% commission2-4 weeks⭐⭐⭐
🎯 MONTH 2-3K-Drama & Hallyu Positioning — themed nights, cultural contentFree – ฿10K2-4 weeks⭐⭐⭐
🎯 MONTH 2-3Micro-Influencer Testing — Free dinner for Bangkok-based bloggers฿20-30K4-6 weeks⭐⭐⭐
📊 MONTH 4+Seasonal Blitz Campaigns (Oct-Feb) — Diwali, NYE, Winter specials฿20-60K/campaignVaries by season⭐⭐⭐⭐
📊 MONTH 5+Mid/Mega Influencer — Only after data proves ROI฿40K-400K6-8 weeksData-dependent
⚡ The "First 72 Hours" Playbook

Day 1: Optimize Google Maps (free, 30 min). Print 200 restaurant cards with QR code.
Day 2-3: Walk into 10 hotel concierge desks near Ploenchit/Sukhumvit. Leave cards + tasting invite.
Day 3-5: Find 5 freelance Indian-speaking Bangkok guides on Viator. DM them with commission offer.
Day 5-7: Contact Sun Leisure World and Asia DMC. Offer hosted team dinner.
Result: You could have your first travel-agency-referred Indian diners within 7-10 days. Zero upfront cost beyond printing.

Section 07

Annual Budget Estimate & ROI Projection

Budget Allocation by Phase

ROI Calculation

Conservative Annual Marketing Budget฿600,000 (~$17,000 USD)
Target: Indian diners per month (avg)150 groups (avg 2.5 pax each = 375 covers)
Average spend per person (premium Korean BBQ)฿1,500–2,500
Annual revenue from Indian diners฿6,750,000–11,250,000
Estimated ROI11x – 19x return on marketing spend
Section 08

When to Strike: Peak Indian Travel Months

Indian Tourist Arrivals — Monthly Distribution (Estimated)

Peak Months for Indian tourists in Thailand: October through February (Diwali holidays, Christmas/New Year, winter break). Also April (Songkran overlaps with Indian school summer holidays).

Recommendation: Concentrate 60-70% of marketing spend between October and February. Run lighter "awareness" campaigns during off-peak months (May–September).

Section 09

10 Key Recommendations — Summary

01Target cosmopolitan, beef-eating Indian foodies — not the mass market. Quality over quantity.
02Add premium chicken & seafood Korean BBQ options to your menu. Small investment, massively expands your Indian addressable market.
03Start with Google Maps + Instagram geo-targeted ads — these target Indians already in Bangkok, looking for dinner. Lowest cost, highest intent.
04Test with micro-influencers first. Don't burn ฿300K on a mega influencer without data. Offer free dinners to Bangkok-based Indian food bloggers.
05Leverage K-drama/Korean culture wave. Young Indians are obsessed with Korean culture. Position as "the authentic Seoul BBQ experience in Bangkok."
06Focus on Delhi, Mumbai & Kolkata travelers — Delhi and Mumbai lead in flight volume. Kolkata ranks #3 by actual passenger traffic (DGCA data) thanks to being the closest Indian metro (just 2h 35m). These three cities are your primary markets — don't overlook East India.
07Peak season blitz (Oct–Feb) — concentrate majority of your annual marketing budget in these months.
08Create an "Indian-friendly" section on your menu — clearly label which dishes are chicken/seafood/veg. Don't make Indian diners guess.
09Encourage UGC — offer 10% discount for Instagram stories. Indian tourists post EVERYTHING on social media. Free marketing.
10Measure everything. Use unique reservation codes per channel to track which marketing channel drives actual diners. Kill what doesn't work, scale what does.