Despite backpacker murders Thailand still a draw for UK travellers
Thailand has thanked the UK travel trade for its support during a challenging year after revealing that visitor numbers rose in the first nine months.
Tourist board UK marketing manager Joanna Cooke said numbers were up 2.87% to the end of September.
This was despite a military coup and protests in Bangkok and other major cities at the start of the year.
In September, when the country was rocked by the murders of two British backpackers on a Thai beach, visitor numbers dipped just 0.3%, said Cooke.
"Given the challenges we have had these past few months we are very pleased with these results and thank the travel trade for their continued support," she said.
"Thailand remains a safe and welcoming holiday destination and with reports of strong forward bookings from our tour operator partners we look forward to a busy peak season in Thailand this winter too"
Overall, Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Thawatchai Arunyik said 25.5 million arrivals are expected this year, revised down from an earlier forecast of 28 million arrivals.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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