Thailand’s travel arrivals soar
International tourist arrivals to Thailand posted an improvement of 24.75%, January to October, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ data.
Released Tuesday, the ministry’s data showed the country attracted 24,364,667 international visits during the first 10 months of the year up from 19,531,084 visits during the same period last year.
The ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, Wannasiri Morakul, said tourism in 2015 would surpass the projected 28.8 million visits by year end. In the first 10 months, 24.36 million visits were recorded.
“China, Malaysia and Japan were major source markets during the period…another 5.2 million visits are expected over the remaining two months of the year, which will drive Thailand’s tourism to around 29.5 million visits exceeding the year-end target.”
She claimed that government measures to stimulate tourism were a factor contributing to the tourism boom.
These measures include the tourism promotion campaign ‘2015 Discover Thainess,’ which emphasises the country’s cultural treasures and the Thai way of life including the 12 hidden gem destinations promoting on secondary venues. They are Lampang, Nan, Phetchaburi, Loei, Buri Ram, Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram, Chanthaburi, Trat, Chumphon, Trang and Nakhon Si Thammarat.
The additional 12 “don’t miss” destinations will be promoted next year namely: Lamphun, Phrae, Phitsanulok, Chaiyaphum, Surin, Suphanburi, Nakhon Pathom, Sa Kaeo, Rayong, Ranong, Satun and Phattalung.
In October, the country recorded 2,228,796 visits, a slight increase of 0.95% when compared to 2,207,775 visits during the same month last year.
By regions, all markets recorded decreases in October, except the Americas, East Asia and South Asia.
The Americas posted the highest growth of 8.36% from 90,863 to 98,458 visits. Argentina reported a 50.16% increase from a small base of 1,274 to 1,913 visits.
The United States recorded the highest arrivals at 70,841 up 10.16% from 64,309 followed by Canada (16,860; +1.31%) and Brazil (3,624; -4.41%).
East Asia (ASEAN included) reported an increase of 4.52% from 1,403,027 to 1,466,454 visits.
The markets that showed improvements were: Myanmar (+24.44%); Laos (+21.09%); South Korea (+14.16%); China (+13.06%); and Vietnam (+10.56%).
The markets that showed declines were: Singapore (-16.49%); Brunei (-15.24%); Hong Kong (-12.74%); Cambodia (-7.51%); Japan (-5.66%); Taiwan (-5.35%); Indonesia (-4.47%); Malaysia (-3.81%); and the Philippines (-3.70%).
South Asia posted a slight increase of 0.32% from 117,143 to 117,515 visits. India led the field supplying 89,226 visits, growing 3.20% from 86,461 followed by Bangladesh (8,938; -13.38%), Sri Lanka (6,428; -20.43%), Pakistan (6,278; +5.30%), and Nepal (3,916; +36.40%).
In contrast, Africa slowed down 3.19% from 13,930 to 13,485 visits. The main market South Africa increased 10.95% from 5,945 to 6,596.
The Oceania dropped 3.70% from 84,957 to 81,817 visits. The main market, New Zealand, improved 6.68% (9,735), while Australia declined 4.97% (71,791).
Europe declined 7.37% from 436,195 to 404,060 visits. The markets posting declines were: Russia (-39.91%); Austria (-4.18%); Ireland (-3.99%); East Europe (-3.29%); and Finland (-2.16%).
The markets that showed improvements were: Spain (+29.09%); Italy (+14.12%); Germany (+9.78%); Sweden (+8.22%); France (+5.77%); Norway (+5.03%); Denmark (+4.84%); Belgium (+3.58%); Switzerland (+2.43%); the United Kingdom (+2.41%); and the Netherlands (+2.15%).
The Middle East declined 23.76% from 61,660 to 47,007 visits. Israel recorded the highest arrivals with 8,211 visits decreasing 44.14% from 14,700 visits.
Other main markets in the Middle East: the United Arab Emirates (8,053; -29.67%); Kuwait (4,177; -26.73%); Egypt (1,991; -39.32%); and Saudi Arabia (1,242; +17.06%).
Top 10 source markets October 2015 
Top 10 source markets January to October 2015 
