Tourism, the key driver of Thailand’s economic growth, accounts for about 12 percent of the country’s GDP.

As inbound tourist numbers continue to rise, room rates likely will as well. The total number of overnight guests from overseas was 5.92 million as of February, about 64% of the pre-pandemic level.

Prior to the COVID outbreak, Iran’s tourism had been steadily increasing, with over eight million tourists in the Iranian calendar year 1398 (which began March 21, 2019).

The country has been optimistic about adding an immense number of visitors in the coming years as Qatar witnessed over two million tourists in November and December during the FIFA World Cup 2022.

Travel from Western countries is increasing as well. Japan received 86,000 visitors from the U.S. and 15,000 from the U.K., or 94% and 66% of February 2019, respectively.

Data released this week showed Japan received 498,600 overseas visitors last month — more than double the 206,500 who visited in September — after the lifting of all Covid-related travel restrictions.

Seven people from the United States came to Japan on Tuesday, which is part of the first limited test tours in Japan government’s premeditated gradual reopening for all inbound tourists from June. Among these seven tourists, six are from Hawaii …