Positive first half for Thai tourism

BANGKOK Ministry of Tourism and Sports reports international tourist arrivals to Thailand reached 16.59 million, an improvement of 12.05% during January to June this year.

Released late last week, the ministry’s data showed the country attracted 16,591,904 international visits during the first six months of this year compared to 14,807,868 visits during the same period last year.

Tourism and Sports Minister, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, said Asia continues to be the major source particularly China, South Korea and Japan as well as ASEAN.

“The tourism industry will continue to grow thanks to the many (public) holidays during the remaining months of the year,” she said.

The ministry is drafting the National Tourism Development Plan II (2017 to 2021) that will become the country’s master plan for tourism when it is approved by the Thai Cabinet this October.

The five-year plan will focus on developing the country’s prosperity and sustainability, creating quality leisure destinations, generating revenue for local economies and developing tourist attractions, products and services linked to the Thainess concept.

Safety and security are also key elements that will be included in the plan.

The objective is to increase tourist spending per person, improve human resources’ skills, develop laws and regulations to benefit the tourism industry and create new infrastructure in transportation, tourism information and technology.

In June alone, foreign travellers recorded 2,433,255 visits, an increase of 7.21% from 2,269,561 visits during the same month last year.

By regions, all markets recorded increases in the sixth month of the year except Oceania and the Middle East.

The Americas recorded the highest growth of 14.20% from 90,487 to 103,335 visits. Argentina reported a 57.34% increase from 1,301 to 2,047. The United States recorded the highest arrivals at 78,114 up 15.06% from 67,891 followed by Canada (14,435; +4.37%) and Brazil (3,521; +25.79%).

Europe grew 9.90% from 271,791 visits to 298,702 visits. The markets that showed improvements were: Russia (+28.41%); East Europe (+17.48%); Ireland (+14.53%); Germany (+13.14%); Italy (+13.06%); Sweden (+9.15%); Spain (+8.73%); Denmark (+6.91%); Austria (+5.18%); the Netherlands (+4.78%); UK (+4.47%); Norway (+3.74%); Finland (+2.59%); and France (+2.20%). Switzerland and Belgium were the only two markets that posted declines at 5.69% and 2.84% respectively.

East Asia (ASEAN included) recorded a growth of 7.64% from 1,655,145 to 1,781,606 visits. The markets that showed improvements were: Cambodia (+52.51%); Myanmar (+48.96%); South Korea (+17.14%); Hong Kong (+16.45%); Vietnam (+14.39%); China (+13.04%); Indonesia (+10.24%); Laos (+4.74%); Singapore (+1.81%); Japan (+0.74%); and the Philippines (+0.19%). The markets that showed declines were: Brunei (-27.19%); Taiwan (-10.45%); and Malaysia (-10.43%).

South Asia represented an increase of 4.32% from 124,876 to 130,268 visits. India led the field supplying 111,470 visits growing 12.00% from 99,525 followed by Sri Lanka (5,018; -11.28%), Bangladesh (4,626; -32.34%), Pakistan (3,347; -51.02%) and Nepal (3,267; +24.46%).

Africa showed an increase of 2.79% from 11,770 to 12,098 visits. The main market South Africa increased 3.39% from 6,231 to 6,442.

In contrast, Oceania reported a drop off 2.47% from 83,522 to 81,458 visits. The main markets Australia and New Zealand showed declines of 2.65% (71,163) and 1.12% (10,041) respectively.

The Middle East decreased 19.34% from 31,970 to 25,788 visits. Israel posted the highest arrivals with 7,022 visits increasing 28.33% from 5,472 visits. Other main markets in the Middle East: United Arab Emirates (1,988; -63.69%); Kuwait (1,967; -44.02%); Egypt (771; -26.57%); and Saudi Arabia (454; -48.64%).