Thailand’s unbreakable tourism industry is on the rise again
The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) announced last week that the number of tourists visiting Thailand in 2015 will exceed 30 million, breaking all previous records and providing an important boost to the country’s economy.
According to a recent report by the World Travel and Tourism Council the total contribution of the tourism industry in 2015 (including indirect effects) will be 19.2 percent of Thailand’s GDP. The report forecasts that the sector will continue to grow and by 2025 the industry will account for 25 percent of Thailand’s GDP.
Thailand’s current leaders and previous governments have all been quick to attribute the growth and success of the tourist sector to their policies and initiatives, but the reality is that the success of Thailand’s tourist industry continues regardless of those in power. By all accounts, events from Thailand’s recent history would have severely damaged the appeal of many tourist destinations, with two military coups, political unrest, airport closures, natural disasters, high profile tourist murders and bombings in the country’s capital. However, none of these events have had a negative effect on tourism beyond a few temporary blips and Thailand’s charms continue to woo visitors in their millions.
Thailand’s appeal as a tourist destination can be attributed to the diversity of experiences it offers visitors, with tropical beaches, cultural treasures, rambunctious nightlife, cosmopolitan shopping, breathtaking scenery and exotic cuisine all available at prices that remain reasonable to the international traveler. This myriad of experiences has cemented Thailand’s place as a must-visit holiday destination with something for everyone.
In the aftermath of the August bomb attacks in Bangkok, which killed a number of tourists, there were concerns that Thailand’s lucrative tourist industry would suffer if the attack was linked to an international terrorist network. The government and the police were reluctant to discuss any connection the attack may have had with Muslim extremists, instead pointing the finger at organized crime and disgruntled human traffickers. As it happened the perpetrators were arrested and the case was conveniently wrapped up just days before National Police Chief Pol.-Gen. Somyot Poompanmoung retired.
Although Thai authorities are reluctant to acknowledge that the Kingdom may have become a target for international terrorists, most Europeans and North Americans accept the post 9/11 reality that nowhere is entirely safe from terror attacks. Thai authorities have been quick to parade visiting celebrities around Bangkok to emphasize the city’s safety, as they did recently with tennis stars Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic, but the truth is that such PR exercises do little to reassure anyone. Visitors will continue coming to Bangkok because it is as safe as any international city in the 21st Century, neither prone to regular attacks nor entirely immune to the threat of international terror.
One of the primary factors behind this year’s record breaking figures has been the influx of Chinese tourists in their millions. Chinese tourist now account for over 25 percent of the Kingdom’s visitors with 8 million Chinese expected to visit the country in 2015. Thailand is now among the most popular destinations for Chinese tourists alongside Japan and South Korea, and catering for the Chinese tourist is proving to be increasingly profitable.
It is estimated that 100 million Chinese nationals travelled abroad last year, and Chinese tourists are expected to spend $229 billion abroad this year, so it’s no surprise that hotels, restaurants and tour agents in Thailand’s most popular cities have begun embracing Chinese visitors with signs, menus and other information available in Mandarin.
Chinese tourism to Thailand will receive a further boost when the long anticipated Sino-Thai railway project from Kunming in Southern China to Bangkok finally opens. Construction on this project is due to begin this year and its completion date is not until 2020, but when it is eventually finished a huge influx of Chinese tourists is expected.
These indicators all suggest that Thailand’s Teflon tourism industry will not only remain strong but continue to grow regardless of internal politics, and Thailand’s temples, beaches, shopping malls and entertainment venues will continue to attract large numbers of international visitors for years to come.
