Thursday, April 4, 2024
Thailand has seen a remarkable influx of international tourists in the first quarter, reporting 9.37 million visitors, which is double the figure recorded by Vietnam, as a result of implementing policies aimed at attracting tourists. This surge is part of a competitive effort within the region to draw in international visitors. The Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports highlighted that the majority of these tourists, numbering 1.75 million, came from China, marking the largest national group among the visitors. Following China, Malaysia contributed 1.16 million tourists, with Russia bringing in 622,800 visitors.
This significant increase in tourist numbers is attributed to the Thai government’s initiative to offer visa waivers to nationals from various countries, as well as introducing a new scheme that provides medical coverage for tourists in case of accidents, covering expenses up to 500,000 baht (approximately $14,000) and offering compensation of up to one million baht in the event of a death.
The country welcomed around 28 million visitors in 2023, which shows a substantial recovery from 11 million the previous year, although this number is still below the pre-pandemic peak of 40 million in 2019. With ambitions set high, Thailand aims to attract 35 million tourists in 2024 and generate tourism revenues of around $55 billion.
In comparison, Vietnam saw 4.6 million international tourists in the first quarter, which is only a slight increase of 3.2% from the figures in 2019.
This disparity in visitor numbers between Thailand and Vietnam underscores the impact of targeted tourist-friendly policies and highlights Thailand’s successful strategies in revitalizing its tourism sector post-pandemic. The effect of these measures on a global scale suggests a shift in travel patterns, potentially influencing global travel trends and contributing significantly to the recovery and growth of the international tourism industry.
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
