Thailand arrivals slide

18 Mar 2014 2087 | World Travel News

BANGKOK, 2014: International tourist arrivals to Thailand posted a decline of 4.10% during January to February this year according to Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ data.
Released late last week, the ministry data reported 4,493,668 visits to the country during the first two months down from 4,685,704 over the same period last year.
The decline of international tourist arrivals to Thailand is due to the prolonged political instability since November last year.
Caretaker tourism minister, Somsak Pureesrisak, said: “During the past two months, arrivals were around 45,000 persons per day, down from 70,000 persons year-on-year.”
The minister added: “Removing the emergency decree would be good for Thailand’s tourism.”
In February, foreign travellers recorded 2,174,347 visits, a decrease of 8.15% from 2,367,257 visits during the same month last year.
Considering markets by regions, all recorded a decline except Africa, Europe and Oceania.
Africa posted the highest growth with 36.60% from 8,836 to 12,070 visits. The main market South Africa recorded a 63.74% increase from 3,789 to 6,204.
Europe represented an 8.18% increase from 691,903 to 748,533 visits. Some markets showed a decline: Denmark (-9.77%); Norway (-7.54%); Sweden (-4.51%); and Germany (-3.69%).
The top five growth markets were: Russia (+23.04%); Austria (+22.21%); Ireland (+18.78%); East Europe (+11.84%); and Finland (+8.45%).
Oceania posted a slight improvement of 0.54% from 68,158 to 68,529 visits during the same month last year.
Meanwhile, the Americas showed a decline of 2.44% from 105,801 to 103,216 visits. The United States posted the highest arrivals at 69,434 decreasing 2.69% from 71,354 following by Canada (21,568; -10.44%); Brazil (4,066; +29.08%), and Argentina (2,941; +11.66%).
South Asia recorded a 12.42% decline from 91,003 to 79,700 visits in the second month of the year. India led the field supporting 61,500 decreasing 15.27% from 72,581 following by Sri Lanka (4,802; -2.66%), Bangladesh (4,615; -11.34%), Pakistan (4,596; -2.17%), and Nepal (1,622; -1.93%).
The Middle Ease showed a decline of 15.23% from 42,993 to 36,444 visits. Israel arrivals led the field with 13,705 increasing 7.93% from 12,698. Other main markets were: the United Arab Emirates (3,829; -23.60%); Kuwait (3,173; -50.59%); Egypt (1,924; +34.83%); and Saudi Arabia (595; -30.49%).
East Asia (ASEAN included) reported a decline of 17.13% from 1,358,563 to 1,125,855 in February.
The main source markets in the region that posted decline were: Hong Kong (-64.73%); Taiwan (-39.43%); China (-29.80%); Brunei (-28.08%); Japan (-27.73%); Malaysia (-16.58%); South Korea (-9.19%); Philippines (-8.88%); and Singapore (-5.59%).
In contrast, Laos showed a 43.21% improvement from 114,928 to 80,252 visits. The next growth markets were: Vietnam (+18.51%); Indonesia (+17.44%); Cambodia (+6.95%); and Myanmar (+6.61%).
In addition, the tourism ministry reported international tourists at the country’s gateways, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, were down 18.37% in February from 1,512,837 to 1,234,985 visits.