Thailand has welcomed 9.47 million foreign tourists so far this year, generating about USD 391 billion (USD 11 billion) in revenue, according to government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul.
Malaysian visitors accounted for the highest number of foreign arrivals in Thailand between January and May, followed by Chinese and Indians. Russia came in fourth place, with South Korea ranking fifth in the list of top international travelers.
Other countries that made it to the top 10 include Vietnam, the United States, the United Kingdom, Laos, and Hong Kong.
According to Ms. Traisuree, the expected increase in Chinese visitors will further boost Thailand’s tourism industry.
The surge in tourism is a welcome sign for the Thai economy, which had been struggling earlier due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Tourism is a significant contributor to the country’s GDP and creates job opportunities for millions.
The government hopes to attract even more tourists in the coming years by investing in infrastructure and marketing campaigns and it expects 25-30 million international arrivals for the entirety of 2023.
In 2022, Thailand’s revitalized tourism sector gave the country a much-needed economic boost, with gross domestic product (GDP) reaching a 4.5% year-on-year expansion in the third quarter.
