Bangkok, 25 December, 2018 – The Ministry of Tourism and Sports announced the tourism figures for January-November 2018. Thailand received 34,431,489 international visitors, up by 7.53% over the same period of last year, generating an estimated 1.8 billion Baht in tourism revenue, up by 9.79%.

The highlight of the results was the fact that seven countries (China, Malaysia, South Korea, Lao PDR., Japan, India, and Russia) have already generated more than one million visitor arrivals, and three more countries (USA, Vietnam and Singapore) were set to follow suit when the full year 2018 results were tabulated.

Top 10 Markets for Thailand in January-November 2018

Commenting on the performance, TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said, “We are overjoyed to have this result in the last quarter of 2018. The 35 million visitor target is now set to be met. It is a tribute to the cooperation and creativity of the entire Thai travel and tourism industry to ensure that it remains our primary sector for job creation, distribution of income nationwide, and contribution to cultural, heritage and environmental preservation.

Summary of the key results in January-November 2018:

Overview: All regions grew well except the Middle East and Oceania. Visitors from East Asia totalled 23.62 million (+9.21%), Europe 5.91 million (+4.03%), the Americas 1.41 million (+3.70%), South Asia 1.77 million (+11.32%), Oceania 838,713 (-1.40%), the Middle East 683,420 (-6.24%), and Africa 174,565 (+9.63%).

East Asia: East Asian visitor arrivals…

Thailand, more accustomed to shining performance than setback or its tourism industry is facing a significant decline in tourism revenues.

For the first time since the bombing in Bangkok on August 17, 2015, which killed 20 people in the center of the capital, tourism is declining in Thailand.

The poor performance of tourism from China following the Phuket sea disaster last July is responsible for much of the downward trend.

Thailand has seen a steady decline in the number of tourists, more than 10% in the last three months, confirmed the spokesman of the government, Puttipong Punnakanta yesterday.

During the last decade Thailand has been a hugely popular destination among Chinese tourists. Chinese tourists now account for more than 30% of tourism revenues in Thailand.

But due to a recent boat tragedy in Phuket which killed more than 45 people, mostly Chinese, the number of tourists from China has dropped significantly.

During the first nine months of the year, Thailand received 28.5 million international tourists, representing 8.7 percent year-on-year growth.

Travellers from China slid 12 percent in August, the biggest drop in more than a year, keeping the overall pace of visitor growth near a 16-month low after a tour boat capsized off Phuket in July which killed 47…

Bangkok, 13 December 2018 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is delighted to welcome the one millionth tourist arrival from Vietnam, a historic first between the two Southeast Asian countries.

The one millionth Vietnamese tourist, Ms. Duong Thu Trang, landed 13 December, 2018, on board Thai Airways International (THAI)’s flight TG561 from Hanoi, which touched down at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at 12.25 Hrs.

Mr. Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Asia and the South Pacific), said: “This is truly a historic occasion, and TAT is very pleased to welcome the one millionth tourist arrival from Vietnam to Thailand in 2018. For first time Vietnamese travellers, over 90% choose Thailand and for that we are really grateful.”

Ms. Duong Thu Trang was welcomed by officials and representatives from TAT, Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Immigration Department and THAI.

To mark the occasion, the lucky arrival received special prizes including a Thailand tour package for two, return airfare for two, and gift voucher of 10,000 Baht.

After arrival, Ms. Duong Thu Trang was chauffeured to her accommodation in Bangkok. The transfer from airport was hosted by the TAT Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) Office.

Vietnam is one of Thailand’s most vibrant short-haul markets. With a population of over 96 million, the country is enjoying an economic boom fuelled by foreign investment from Japan, South Korea, China and Russia in several large industrial sectors. This is combined with the introduction of new low-cost carriers offering increased flight frequencies between Vietnam and Thailand.

In 2017, Thailand welcomed 970,000 visitors from Vietnam generating over 30 billion Baht in tourism-related revenue.

During 2019, the…

The Thai tourism industry recorded total international arrivals of 31.25 million in January-October 2018, up 7.84%, generating an estimated 1.63 trillion Baht in tourism revenue, up by 9.98% over the same period of 2017.

China headed the list with more than nine million arrivals followed by Malaysia (3.18m) and South Korea (1.46m)

Top 10 markets for Thailand in January – October 2018

Remark: Preliminary figures
Source: Ministry of Tourism and Sports and TAT

Summary of the key results in Jan-Oct 2018:

Overview: All regions grew well except the Middle East and Oceania. Visitors from East Asia totalled 21.58 million (+9.71%), Europe 5.24 million (+4.24%), the Americas 1.25 million (+3.01%), South Asia 1.60 million (+10.75%), Oceania 766,119 (-1.74%), Middle East 635,311 (-6.29%), and Africa 158,630 (+8.41%).

East Asia: East Asian visitor arrivals comprised the biggest market share of all visitors. A total of 21.58 million or 69% were from East Asian countries. Apart from China, the other top sources of arrivals were Malaysia (3.17 million), South Korea (1.46 million) and Lao PDR. (1.44 million).

The ASEAN…

International visitors spent more money in Thailand than in any other Asian country in 2017, according to a UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) report.

The report said that Thailand recorded a total tourism expenditure of USD57 billion in 2017, ahead of Japan (USD34 billion), Hong Kong (USD33 billion), China (USD33 billion) and Taiwan (USD12 billion).

The figures are based on surveys tabulated from credit card spending data and the cash receipts in different countries around the world.

Tourism expenditure to increase next year

UNWTO also predicted that tourism expenditure will increase in the next year, thanks to strong Thai tourism promotion campaigns and growing foreign investment in world-class hotels in Thailand.

The survey also indicated that Thailand has everything for everyone, ranging from luxury villas on private islands to affordable street food, which is why tourists can always find good valuable experiences in Thailand.

The full report can be accessed here.

Moreover, Bangkok ranked number one on the list of the world’s most-visited cities, according to MasterCard’s annual Global Destination Cities Index 2018. It has been ranked #1 for three consecutive years.

The MasterCard index showed that Thailand is also the only country which has three cities ranked on the list of the world’s most-visited cities: Bangkok (1^st),…

Phuket, 19 November 2018 – The Marine Department (Phuket Office) has issued a comprehensive set of guidelines to ensure public safety during Loi Krathong (22 November 2018), one of the most popular festivals on the Thai calendar.

The safety measures regulate the operations and procedures to be observed by piers, pontoons, boats, operators of all marine navigation facilities, tourists and the Thai general public.

The guidelines include strict limits on the loading capacity, alcohol consumption by both crew and passengers of marine craft, signage, provision of safety equipment; such as, lifejackets and fire-fighting, and more.

Operators of all marine craft have to ensure proper maintenance of all engines and equipment, and not exceed the optimum speed limits.

The Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn said, “The prompt action being taken by the Marine Department is deeply appreciated. It will enhance the confidence of the travelling public and ensure a safe and secure Loi Krathong for everyone.”