Bangkok: The government of Thailand has announced a significant surge in tourism revenue, exceeding 600 billion baht in just four and a half months, emphasizing the country's status as a year-round destination for global tourists.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Sasikarn Wattanachan, Deputy Government Spokesperson, detailed the government's efforts to attract tourists from high-growth markets and quality groups. The focus has been on long-distance tourists, particularly from Europe and Russia, with an emphasis on high-spending sectors such as Health and Wellness, Yacht tourism, and Sport and Entertainment. These efforts aim to improve income quality from tourism and sustainably revive the Thai economy.
The latest tourism statistics from January 1 to May 14, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, show that Thailand's total tourism revenue reached 1.034 trillion baht, marking a 2.73% increase. This revenue includes 621,069 million baht generated by 13.12 million foreign tourists, reflecting a 3.13% growth, and 413,877 million baht from 76.95 million domestic tourists, a 2.15% rise.
The number of long-distance tourists has seen a notable increase, with 5.02 million visitors, representing a 17.28% rise from the previous year. This market segment alone generated 319 billion baht, a 20.43% increase compared to the previous year. Ms. Sasikarn highlighted the government's efforts to enhance transportation capacity to boost international connectivity and attract tourists globally.
The growth in long-haul markets underscores Thailand's recovery and readiness to welcome tourists worldwide. The country's confidence in service quality, safety, and the collaborative potential of Thai people across sectors is seen as a driving force for sustainable tourism growth, positioning tourism as a pivotal component of the national economy.