Thailand Anticipates Full Recovery of Indian Tourists This Year

[webfact]

 

Thailand is set to welcome a full recovery of Indian tourist arrivals this year, projecting over 2 million visitors and almost 90 billion baht in revenue. The boost is attributed to a visa-free scheme and increased flight availability.

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) predicts at least 5,000 Indian tourists will visit during the Diwali holiday. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thiengthong highlighted the importance of India as a key market, emphasising strong cultural and tourism ties between the two nations.

 

By October 20, Indian tourists totalled 1.64 million, making India the third-largest source of visitors after Malaysia and China. In 2019, Thailand saw a record 1.96 million Indian arrivals, generating 80 billion baht. Many Indian visitors have planned weddings in southern Thailand this high season, noted Minister Sorawong.

 

While flight capacity hasn't completely recovered, discussions with the Indian ambassador to Thailand are underway to explore adding more flights. TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool expects Thailand to maintain 5,000 Indian arrivals daily for the rest of the year.

 

Patsee Permvongsenee, TAT's executive director for the Asean, South Asia, and South Pacific regions, stated that visa-free travel has boosted Indian visitor numbers from an average of 4,000 to 5,000 daily, occasionally peaking at 6,000-7,000. However, challenges persist, such as the baht's fluctuating exchange rate and competition from other destinations.

 

To celebrate this renewed interest, "Amazing Thailand Diwali Festival Bangkok 2024" will run from October 28 to November 3 at Khlong Ong Ang, featuring cultural shows, Indian cuisine, and religious events.

 

The area is being promoted as "Little India," with the Tourism and Sports Ministry planning more festivals to attract both Indian and international tourists. As part of "Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year," further efforts aim to establish Khlong Ong Ang as a vibrant cultural destination, reported Bangkok Post.

 

File photo courtesy: Elite Visa

 

-- 2024-10-26

 

 

[nausea]

India and China are Thailand's natural markets, given the rise of the eastern economies, and the decline in your average Westerner's earning power.

[Tropicalevo]

5 minutes ago, nausea said:

India and China are Thailand's natural markets, given the rise of the eastern economies, and the decline in your average Westerner's earning power.

And with reduced costs of accommodation and travel in the low season, those two groups are happy to travel when things are not so hot and sunny.

Indians have been the largest percentage of guests this month here where we work.

[watchcat]

Tourists, tourists and tourists, ii this all you can do?

[klauskunkel]

Quote

Thailand Anticipates Full Recovery of Indian Tourists This Year

Their Loss-of-Gold-Chain Insurance Policy must have kicked in...

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand is set to welcome a full recovery of Indian tourist arrivals this year, projecting over 2 million visitors and almost 90 billion baht in revenue. The boost is attributed to a visa-free scheme and increased flight availability

[Mavideol]

1 Coke and 4 straws please  555

 

 

[Deez]

Is that supposed to be good news?

[soalbundy]

On top of all the bad news in the world we get this as well.

[Screaming]

Can't wait to see more gangs of Indian men walking down the middle of the street. And just when you thought there were enough empty Indian restaurants in Pattaya, they will build more so you have an even greater selection to choose from. But wait! soon you will see an increasing amount of friendly Indian tailors inviting you into their shops to buy a suit which you will never wear. Things are looking up.......

[Gknrd]

11 hours ago, nausea said:

India and China are Thailand's natural markets, given the rise of the eastern economies, and the decline in your average Westerner's earning power.

Joke of the day!

[DonniePeverley]

Horrific news. Indians are turning away high spending tourists. 

 

I mean this literally ... we had some female friends who regularly go to Pattaya once every few months for a weekend break. Never again. The place has turned into India, and the Indian men are aggressive and assume every woman is a prostitute. It's ruined tourism there, not added to it.

 

If you look at an arbitary figure and become obsessed with adding more people then go for it, but what happened to quality tourism and high spending tourism?

 

It's an enviromental disaster letting so many in. No other country has given Indians a free pass to enter. It's a growing power, but GDP per person is one of the lowest in the world. 

 

 

[ravip]

The worst part of this is the flight. They are aboard every single aircraft that up in the air!

[JoeyMac]

Allowing so many Indian tourists is damaging to wanting to have 'quality high spending tourists'. 

 

Indians make up for very low spend tourism. But their numbers are massive, and for many it's the first ever holiday (as no one else lets them in so easily) and you get ensuing poor behaviour. 

 

You will never find them in malls for one ... look around next time. 

 

 

[brianthainess]

On 10/26/2024 at 7:23 AM, webfact said:

Thailand is set to welcome a full recovery of Indian tourist arrivals this year,

Why, are they all sick ?..........................

[madone]

mispost

[JoeyMac]

India doesn't even give Thai's a reciprocal visa free entry. Yet Thailand is rolling out the red carpet for them.

 

 

[ozz1]

Unfortunately I know a lot of people who won't come here because of the mass tourism and the sticky baht but let's get anyone in it's all about money not the experience