Travel Thailand: First five months strong

29 Jun 2015 2050 | World Travel News

BANGKOK International tourist arrivals to Thailand posted an improvement of 24.72%, January to May, this year, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ data.
Released earlier this week, the ministry’s data showed the country attracted 12,448,641 international visits during the first five months of the year, up from 9,981,581 visits during the same period last year.
Tourism and Sports Minister, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, said tourism made a remarkable recovery, but the kingdom still needed to tap emerging markets to balance the shortfall in European markets.
“Thailand should improve links with neighbouring countries, in a bid to boost arrivals from ASEAN markets as well as from those outside the regional group. The government should continue to develop connectivity and infrastructure, both land and air, to link the kingdom with countries that it shares borders.”
THAILAND/The minister is also confident that the current of MERS outbreak will not slow the country’s tourism industry. Tourism Authority of Thailand has been assigned to closely monitor changes in the inbound tourism sector that might be linked to the MERS outbreak.
In May alone, foreign travellers recorded 2,309,250 visits, an increase of 38.21% when compared to 1,670,860 visits during the same month last year.
By regions, all markets recorded increases except Oceania and Europe in the fifth month of the year.
East Asia (ASEAN included) reported an increase of 57.08% from 1,069,040 to 1,679,258 visits.
The markets that showed improvements were: China (+120.62%); Malaysia (+65.78%); Taiwan (+56.68%); Brunei (+54.88%); Hong Kong (+52.90%); Vietnam (+35.30%); Singapore (+27.83%); Laos (+24.52%); South Korea (+19.60%); Myanmar (+17.54%); Japan (+16.83%); and Cambodia (+13.76%).
Indonesia and the Philippines were the only markets that showed a decline of 15.74% and 12.40% respectively.
The Americas posted a 17.25% increase from 77,712 to 91,121 visits. Argentina reported a 32.13% increase from 1,360 to 1,797.
The United States recorded the highest arrivals at 63,906 up 21.23% from 52,716 followed by Canada (17,294; +12.90%) and Brazil (3,007; -14.72%).
South Asia represented a 16.24% increase from 117,468 to 136,544 visits. India led the field supplying 110,211 visits growing 17.11% from 94,105 followed by Bangladesh (8,353; +27.37%), Sri Lanka (6,644; +13.59%), Pakistan (6,609; +7.76%), and Nepal (1,580; -13.52%).
The Middle East increased 13.67% from 41,759 to 47,467 visits. The United Arab Emirates led the field with 9,822 visits increasing 20.38% from 8,159 visits. Other markets: Kuwait (6,631; +33.77%); Israel (5,828; +4.29%); Egypt (1,935; -15.54%); and Saudi Arabia (1,596; +31.68%).
Africa recorded a growth of 4.96% from 11,755 to 12,338 visits. The main market South Africa improved 15.83% from 4,575 to 5,299.
In contrast, travel from Oceania declined 1.22% from 66,570 to 65,758. New Zealand improved 11.33% (8,715), but Australia dropped 2.98% (56,684).
Europe represented a slowdown of 3.42% from 286,556 to 276,764 visits. Markets recording declines were: Russia (-34.38%); East Europe (-11.63%); Norway (-3.26%); Austria (-2.71%); Denmark (-2.50%); and Finland (-1.83%).
Markets that showed improvements were: Germany (+18.42%); Spain (+17.77%); the Netherlands (+10.50%); Switzerland (+7.20%); France (+6.36%); Ireland (+4.10%); UK (+3.69%); Belgium (+3.34%); Italy (+2.15%); and Sweden (+0.96%).