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Thailand Records Over 22 Million Foreign Tourists in past 10 months
Thailand has welcomed over 22 million foreign tourists in the past 10 months, with the government’s visa-free policy playing a role in boosting arrivals.
Key Takeaways
- Thailand has welcomed over 22 million foreign tourists in the past 10 months, with the government’s visa-free policy playing a significant role in boosting arrivals.
- The top five source countries for tourists in Thailand are Malaysia, China, South Korea, India, and Russia.
- The visa exemptions for Chinese, Kazakh, Indian, and Taiwanese tourists, along with an increase in flights, are expected to further increase tourist arrivals in Thailand.
- The Bank of Thailand expects improvements in economic growth for the country in the third quarter, driven by increased private consumption and a recovery in the tourism sector.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported higher-than-expected tourist numbers due to increased flights, visa-free policy, and they expect arrivals to continue to rise with the start of Europe’s cold season.
The top five source countries for tourists were Malaysia, China, South Korea, India, and Russia. Authorities believe that the number of arrivals will continue to increase as the visa-free policy attracts visitors with high potential.
Currently, visitors from 64 countries can enter Thailand visa-free for 30 days, with the option to apply for an extension. The government recently announced extended visa exemptions for visitors from China, Kazakhstan, India, and Taiwan. But recent incidents, such as a shooting in a Bangkok shopping mall, may further discourage Chinese visitors. Some companies are now turning their focus to Indian tourists to make up for the lack of Chinese visitors.
The Thai Cabinet has alos extended the temporary stay period for Russian tourists from 30 to 90 days, aiming to boost tourism during the winter months.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has set a target of 25-28 million foreign visitors for the year, aiming to generate significant revenue. But the ongoing war in the Middle East is expected to have a detrimental effect on tourism due to the increasing fuel prices and rising inflation rates worldwide, as stated by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
In 2019, Thailand saw a record 40 million foreign travelers before the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted travel for over two years.
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