Thailand’s travel slump extends to October

22 Nov 2014  2036 | World Travel News

BANGKOK International tourist arrivals to Thailand posted a decline of 8.72% during January to October this year according to Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ data.
Released Tuesday, the ministry data reported 19,739,600 visits to the country during the first 10 months, down from 21,626,233 over the same period last year.
Tourism and Sports Minister, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, projects Thailand tourism will welcome over 25 million international tourists by year-end.
inside no 3 “Due to the political turmoil since late last year the kingdom’s tourism, this year,will drop by 1 million to reach 25 million visits,” she explained.
The original target was 28 million arrivals and THB2 trllion in tourism related revenue.
In October alone, foreign travellers recorded 2,180,601 visits, an increase of 6.14% from 2,054,548 visits during the same month last year.
By regions, all markets recorded increases except Europe, the Americas and Oceania in October.
East Asia (ASEAN included) reported an increase of 15.10% from 1,200,509 to 1,381,735 visits.
East Asia improvements:
China (+67.02%); Myanmar (+48.65%); Cambodia (+16.40%); Malaysia (+11.05%); Singapore (+4.92%); Philippines (+4.60%); and Brunei (+0.99%).
The markets that showed declines were: Laos (-21.24%); Indonesia (-18.88%); South Korea (-15.03%); Vietnam (-14.03%); Japan (-10.11%); Taiwan (-8.55%); and Hong Kong (-1.29%).
South Asia
South Asia represented a 7.30% increase from 109,679 to 117,682 visits. India led the field supplying 87,990 visits and growing 9.14% from 80,623 followed by Bangladesh (10,330; +12.87%), Sri Lanka (7,378; +0.93%); Pakistan (5,934; -15.57%), and Nepal (2,844; +4.41%).
Middle East
The Middle East gained 6.47% from 56,352 to 59,999 visits. Israel led the field with 14,475 visits increasing 78.73% from 8,099. Other main markets: United Arab Emirates (11,427; +0.35%); Kuwait (5,554; -20.13%); Egypt (2,791; -22.75%); and Saudi Arabia (1,054; -59.18%).
Africa
Africa recorded a growth of 0.80% from 13,383 to 13,490 visits. The main market South Africa improved just 1.12% from 5,829 to 5,894 visits.
Americas
The Americas dropped 6.62% from 97,737 to 91,268. Brazil posted an 18.61% increase from 3,273 to 3,882.
The United States recorded the highest arrivals at 64,130 down 6.28% from 68,824 followed by Canada (16,837; -10.79%); and Argentina (1,305; -12.24%).
Oceania
Oceania represented a slowdown of 8.65% from 91,374 to 83,470. The main market Australia declined 7.84% (73,943) and New Zealand was down 14.66% (9,177).
Europe
Europe posted a decline of 10.83% from 485,514 to 432,955. The markets recording declines were: Austria (-33.22%); Russia (-23.24%); Spain (-15.88%); Norway (-14.27%); Sweden (-10.47%); Denmark (-9.63%); Finland (-7.84%); Netherlands (-6.52%); Belgium (-5.64%); Switzerland (-3.42%); Germany (-3.19%); France (-1.88%); the United Kingdom (-1.31%); and Italy (-1.26%).
Ireland and East Europe were the only two identified markets that showed increases of 1.49% (4,906) and 0.84% (24,129) respectively.
In addition, the tourism ministry reported international tourists at the country’s gateway Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in October improving 4.20% rising from 1,352,139 to 1,408,889 visits.

sourced:ttrweekly.com 

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