Thailand H1 tourism arrivals up 12 percent
Although the Phuket boat tragedy is likely to impact tourism numbers going forward, Thailand had a very positive first half of the year.
The country welcomed nearly 20 million visitors, up almost 12% on last year and posted a 15% gain in tourism revenue to more than THB 1 trillion, tourism and sports ministry permanent secretary Pongpanu Svetarundra said.
In June more than three million overseas tourists visited and Thailand expects nearly THB 3 trillion baht in tourism-related economic impact by the end of the year.
Tourism is a key sector and generates about 12% of GDP.
However, a backlash has already started from Thailand’s top market China.
Thousands have cancellations bookings to Phuket and elsewhere due to the deadly boat accident in early July which killed dozens of Chinese tourists.
There have also been calls for a boycott.
China contributes nearly a third of all international tourist arrivals to Thailand.
TravelMole Editorial Team
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.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports