Thailand’s drive to attract international tourists is expected to help the country see a surge in visitors in the latter half of 2019. According to research by the Kasikorn Research Centre KResearch), the number of international visitors coming to Thailand could reach 20 million, up 7.0 percent year on year (YoY). 

Unlike the earlier start to 2019, when visitor numbers to the country reached 19.7 million tourists (up 1.6 percent YoY). KResearch predicts the total visiting numbers for Thailand in 2019, will be around over 39 million international visitors, up 2 - 4 percent YoY. 

At a glance:

• Tourist visits to rise to 20 million in late half of 2019
• Prediction for total number of visitors to Thailand to hit over 30M by years end
• Thai Government still has to attract quality inbound tourists

The estimate took into consideration the government's revisions of the number of inbound tourists in 2018 (downward revision)

However KResearch states the government may encounter a daunting task in attracting quality inbound tourists with higher spending per head, as stated in the government's policy amid such changing trends.

Changes in tourist spending, with traveller receipts estimated at 1.94-1.97 trillion Baht. Their spending in some categories decreased, partly because of the growth of e-commerce worldwide. The duration of their stay was also shorter because the new “generation of tourists”, who prefer more trips in more countries than in the past.

Pricing competition among domestic hospitality operators and the battle among tourist destination countries were also challenging factors to the growth of the industry. 

The Thai Government has already had to extend its fee exemption for visa on arrivals has also promoted the growth of international tourists from other countries as there has been a surprising surge in the number of Indian tourists coming to Thailand.

This was partly fuelled by a combination of factors ranging from the lower than expected partly because of the cooling Chinese economy because of the US trade war with China, and the Thai Baht has gained strength versus Chinese Yuan currency. 

At the same time, Chinese tourists have more tourism destination choices to choose from now, while other countries are trying to appeal to international tourists, especially the​ Chinese -- by highlighting their attractions as well.

Source: Kasikorn Research Centre 

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