The Minister of Tourism and Sports announced a substantial influx of tourists to Thailand in recent weeks, driven by consecutive holidays in key source markets such as Japan’s Showa Day and China’s Labor Day. Tourist arrivals have also rebounded following the Songkran festival, with notable increases seen from both short-haul and long-haul markets.
From April 22 to 28, Thailand welcomed a total of 652,241 foreign tourists, representing a significant uptick of 79,432 visitors compared to the previous week—an increase of 13.87%. The average daily arrival rate stood at 93,178 visitors. China led the pack with 147,775 arrivals, followed by Malaysia, India, Russia, and South Korea.
Notably, arrivals from China surged by 22.52% from the previous week, while South Korea, Malaysia, and India also posted impressive growth rates. Although Russian arrivals saw a slight decline, overall tourist numbers continued to rise.
Looking ahead to the week of April 29 to May 5, authorities anticipate a sustained flow of foreign tourists, propelled by the Labor Day holiday in China and other countries. The recent visa exemption agreement between Thailand and China is expected to further boost confidence among travelers and encourage airlines to increase flight frequencies. Additionally, visa exemptions for tourists from India, Taiwan, and Kazakhstan aim to facilitate travel and enhance convenience.
Year-to-date figures as of April 29, 2024, indicate a cumulative total of 11,949,003 tourists visiting Thailand, contributing to an estimated expenditure of approximately 575,332 million baht. China remains the top source market, followed by Malaysia, Russia, South Korea, and India.