Thai tourism improves 2.9%
Ministry of Tourism and Sports reports international visits to Thailand exceeded 12.02 million, a slight increase of 2.91% during January to April this year.
Released last week, the ministry’s data showed the country attracted 12,021,617 international visits for the first four months compared to 11,682,144 visits during the same period last year.
The data is based on foreign passports, or ID holders, passing through international checkpoints (land, sea and air). Minimum requirement is an overnight stay.
The ministry’s permanent secretary, Pongpanu Svetarundra, said inbound tourism industry generated THB621,646.26 million increasing 4.71% from THB593,702.11 million during the same period last year.
“With a rapid increasing of tourists travel to Thailand projecting to reach 60 million by 2030, the country has to prepare itself.”
He said: “We have to tighten the quality and potential of public utility system, transportation and tourist attraction carrying capacity….all related sectors have to integrate to help develop as well as increase safety and improve environment considerations.”
April highlight
In April alone, foreign travellers recorded 2,827,560 visits increasing 6.97% from 2,643,251 visits during the same month last year.
By region, all markets recorded increases in the fourth month. Africa recorded the highest growth of 31.00% from 14,457 to 18,938 visits. The main market, South Africa, increased 61.05% from 6,929 to 11,159.
The Americas recorded a growth of 21.47% from 107,349 to 130,398 visits. The United States recorded the highest arrivals at 87,147 up 16.58% from 74,755 followed by Canada (21,751; +15.54%), Brazil (6,469; +42.39%) and Argentina (6,247; +53.56%).
Europe increased 18.94% from 431,534 to 513,259 visits. The markets that showed improvements were: Norway (+46.90%); Spain (+42.56%); Belgium (+32.71%); Switzerland (+26.52%); Russia (+25.10%); East Europe (+23.41%); Germany (+22.99%); the United Kingdom (+22.09%); Denmark (+19.67%); Italy (+15.83%); Finland (+12.58%); Sweden (+11.74%); Austria (+9.70%); and France (+0.55%).
The Netherlands, down 3.76%, was the only market that showed a decline.
The Oceania reported an improvement of 18.07% from 75,986 to 89,716 visits. The main markets New Zealand and Australia show increases of 28.73% (10,683) and 16.77% (78,772) respectively.
South Asia posted an increase of 12.16% from 121,219 to 135,956 visits.
India led the field supplying 107,451 visits growing 14.29% from 94,012 followed by Bangladesh (9,218; +19.82%), Sri Lanka (7,081; -12.36%), Pakistan (6,132; +16.58%), and Nepal (2,741; -11.64%).
The Middle East showed a growth of 3.49% from 59,588 to 61,669 visits.
Israel showed the highest arrivals with 17,147 visits increasing 10.80% from 15,476 visits.
Other main markets in the Middle East: the United Arab Emirates (9,563; +1.17%); Kuwait (4,747; +5.14%); Saudi Arabia (2,456; +55.84%); and Egypt (2,006; -15.68%).
East Asia (ASEAN included) slightly increased 2.43% from 1,833,118 to 1,877,624 visits.
The markets showed improvements were: Indonesia (+46.85%); Hong Kong (+44.85%); South Korea (+21.54%); Brunei (+20.65%); Vietnam (+17.07%); the Philippines (+16.51%); Myanmar (+12.45%); Malaysia (+7.26%); Japan (+4.18%); Laos (+3.66%); and Singapore (+3.35%).
The markets that showed declines were: China (-8.33%); Cambodia (-2.33%); and Taiwan (-1.45%).
