Following a downturn last year, during the first two months of 2019 Thailand recorded only a slight growth in visitor numbers. In January and February Thailand recorded 7.29 million visitors arrivals, a modest 2.53 per cent growth on year-to-year bases. During the same period, tourism revenews edged up 0.77 per cent to Tht387 billion. While in the first quarter of 2019 the number of foreign tourists is expected to rise slightly, the growth will be conditioned by the inflows from China solely.
The number of Chinese visitors is expected to reach 11 million by the end of the year with Chinese arrivals returning to normal in March after a slowdown of January and February.
Tour agencies and hotels in Thailand are worried over the low rate of the industry growth and insist on government stimulus measures. Visa-fee exemptions for those nationalities who do not yet subject to visa-free entry are suggested among others.
It is expected that in the second quarter of this year, poor air quality and hazardous dust problem, particularly in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, will continue affecting tourism industry negatively.
Tourism Operator in Thailand Ask Government for Incentives to Boost Tourism
News in Asia
Representatives of businesses of the tourism sector in Thailand are calling on the government to come up with
incentives to boost the industry. Some of the suggestions include further liberalisation on
visas.