Thailand targets 33m tourists

BANGKOK Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports estimates income from tourism, during July to September, this year, will reach THB597 billion, across international and domestic markets.

By the end of this year, the ministry is targeting 33 million international tourists generating THB1.84 trillion in revenue. Last year, the country attracted 29.88 million international travellers and generated revenue of THB1.44 trillion.

Tourism and Sports Minister, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, projected that in Q3 tourism revenue will close with THB597,018.72 million, an increase of 10% during the same quarter last year.

Of that projection, THB393,599.15 million will come from international markets and THB203,419.57 million from domestic markets.

“The hidden gems campaigns and public holidays during the period are key factors encouraging travellers to travel in Thailand.”

Public holidays that fall on a Friday, or Monday, give Thais long-weekend breaks that boost domestic travel. To some degree promotions of the so called Hidden Gems contribute, but the main driver is the cheap air fares offered by low-cost airlines that are just a few hundred baht higher than the overland trip by bus.

The minister said: “Foreign tourists continue to visit Thailand…our aim is to spread the tourism flow to secondary destinations…we are not just focusing on the Chinese, but all markets such as Europe, the Middle East and ASEAN.”