Tourist numbers rise in Thailand amid growing concerns
BANGKOK: — Despite more visitors and revenue to Thailand, the tourism industry appears worried by economic problems, competition, and also that visitors are concentrated in specific areas.
The Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), as well as Chulalongkorn University recently reported results from a survey of six hundred tourism-related businesses, 350 foreign tourists and 350 Thai tourists in Q2 this year.
The survey revealed the tourist industry had gained confidence in Q2 compared with the first three months of the year but the third quarter, the low season in Thailand, was not certain.
The drop in confidence comes from fierce competition between business operators, as well as economic problems leading tourists to spend less, says TCT president Ittirith Kinglake.
Based on the survey results, it is expected that 33.87 million tourists will visit the country this year, a rise of 13.35 percent from last year, with revenue from foreigners estimated at around 1.71 trillion Baht, a rise of 17.83 percent.
Mr Ittirith said that operator confidence will not rise accordingly however, and that besides the economic woes and more competition, the higher tourist numbers only apply to certain groups such as the Chinese.
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