Thailand travel arrivals grow 22%

13 Nov 2013 2037 | World Travel News

International tourist arrivals to Thailand posted a growth of 22.30% during January to October this year, according to Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ data.

Released Monday, statistics indicate there were 21,738,328 trips to the country during the first 10 months up from 17,774,887 over the same period last year.

In October, trips reached 2,065,518 improving 14.68% from 1,801,147 during the same month last year.

All markets made gains.

The Middle East posted the highest growth of 29.83% from 43,932 to 57,036 visits. The United Arab Emirates led the field supplying 11,511 increasing 69.45% from 6,793. Other markets were: Israel (8,296; -13.96%); Kuwait (7,016; +50.17%); Egypt (3,646; +69.11%); and Saudi Arabia (2,598; +6.17%).

East Asia followed in second place, (ASEAN included), with a growth of 16.61% from 512,305 to 602,291 visits. All identified source markets in the region posted growth.

Brunei recorded a growth of 40.22% from 736 to 1,032 visits. The next growth markets in top five were: Indonesia (+30.29%); Maynmar (+26.92%); Laos (+25.81%); Vietnam (+23.83%); and Taiwan (+21.03%).

Africa showed an increase of 15.58% from 11,561 to 13,362 visits. The top market South Africa improved 2.34%, with 5,735 trips compared with 5,604 during the same month last year.

Europe represented a 14.46% increase from 403,040 to 461,331 visits. All markets gained except Austria (-1.30%) and Ireland (-1.05%). The top five growth markets were: Russia (+30.76%); East Europe (+18.76%); Spain (+17.35%); France (+17.16%); and Italy (+14.91%).

The Americas improved 7.54% from 88,351 to 95,010 visits in October. The United States posted the highest arrivals at 67,211 increasing 7.03% from 62,799 following by Canada (18,029; +7.30%), Brazil (3,036; -0.26%), and Argentina (1,371; -0.36%).

South Asia recorded an increase of 5.44% from 103,583 to 109,216 visits. India led the field supplying 80,156 trips, growing 1.04% from 79,330 ahead of Bangladesh (9,165; +44.29%), Sri Lanka (7,331; +1.99%), Pakistan (7,005; +32.80%), and Nepal (2,693; -8.77%).

Oceania posted a 3.65% growth from 94,824 to 98,287 visits during the same month last year. The two main markets also showed a positive record, Australia (87,198; +2.53%) and New Zealand (10,714; +11.98%).

In addition, the tourism ministry reported international tourists to Thailand at the country’s gateway Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang reached 1,352,139 visits in October increasing 14.47% from 1,181,186 during the same month last year.