Thai Ministry reports more visits

BANGKOK Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports reports international visits to Thailand exceeded 24.82 million, up 12.37% during January to September this year.

Released Monday, the ministry’s data showed the country attracted 24,820,182 international visits during the first nine months of this year, compared to 22,086,976 visits during the same period last year.

The data is based on foreign passport and  ID holders (overland travel from neighbouring countries), passing through international checkpoints.

Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said tourism operators should consider global trends and potential markets that are emerging.

“Elderly travellers, middle class in Asia, FIT Chinese travellers as well as responsible tourists are potential markets that we have to be tap to boost the country tourism industry,” she said.

In September alone, foreign travellers recorded 2,407,572 visits, an increase of 17.75% from 2,044,658 visits during the same month last year.

By regions, all markets recorded increases in the ninth months of the year except the Oceania market.

East Asia (ASEAN included) recorded the highest growth of 21.10% from 1,419,367 to 1,718,853 visits.

All identified markets showed improvements were: Hong Kong (+53.18%); Vietnam (+41.55%); Taiwan (+40.57%); Brunei (+32.89%); Myanmar (+26.21%); Singapore (+25.86%); China (+23.69%); Indonesia (+19.22%); Laos (+17.12%); Cambodia (+15.53%); Malaysia (+15.10%); South Korea (+14.48%); Japan (+10.86%); and the Philippines (+5.40%).

The Middle East posted an increase of 13.94% from 66,369 to 75,621 visits. Israel posted the highest arrivals with 13,954 visits decreasing 23.17% from 18,161 visits.

Other main markets in the Middle East: the United Arab Emirates (13,779; +53.05%); Kuwait (6,360; +1.39%); Egypt (3,405; +2.13) and Saudi Arabia (2,464; -9.74%).

The Americas increased 13.80% from 73,070 to 83,152 visits. The United States recorded the highest arrivals at 58,954 up 11.11% from 53,057 followed by Canada (12,899; +11.35%), Brazil (3,776; +46.98%) and Argentina (1,953; +59.82%).

Europe recorded a growth of 13.69% from 275,575 to 313,290 visits. The markets that showed improvements were: Russia (+45.86%); East Europe (+17.92%); Germany (+15.17%); the Netherlands (+10.62%); Spain (+10.42%); Belgium (+7.38%); Italy (+7.20%); France (+6.68%); the United Kingdom (+5.93%); and Switzerland (+0.53%).

The markets that showed declines were: Finland (-8.16%); Norway (-6.79%); Sweden (-1.89%); Austria (-0.41%); and Denmark (-0.27%).

South Asia represented an increase of 6.59% from 117,314 to 125,048 visits. India led the field supplying 97,803 visits growing 9.69% from 89,164 followed by Bangladesh (9,366; +8.14%), Pakistan (6,227; -2.84%), Sri Lanka (5,221; -21.19%) and Nepal (3,203; -1.87%).

Africa showed a slight improvement of 1.31% from 12,627 to 12,793 visits. The main market South Africa increased 7.72% from 5,439 to 5,859.

In contrast, Oceania reported a 1.89% decline from 80,336 to 78,815 visits. The main markets New Zealand and Australia decreased 2.11% (9,568) and 1.82 (69,040) respectively.