Tourism Authority of Thailand Aims for ฿3 Trillion by Focusing on Emerging Markets

[webfact]

File photo for reference only. Courtesy: Bangkok Airways

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has set an ambitious target of generating 3 trillion baht in tourism revenue this year. This bold objective comes as TAT diversifies its focus towards emerging markets like Southeast Asia, India, and Russia, with the aim of reducing dependency on the traditionally strong but unpredictable Chinese market.

 

TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool detailed this strategy, forecasting 2 trillion baht from an anticipated 39-40 million foreign arrivals, alongside 1 trillion baht from 200-220 million domestic trips. She highlighted the need to buffer against risks from China's fluctuating market conditions amid reports of human trafficking that sullies Thailand's image as a transit hub.

 

Particularly promising are Southeast Asian nations, which typically contribute 30% of total visitors. Last year saw a surge in Malaysian tourists, hitting a record 4.9 million.

 

TAT aims to promote rail and cruise travel as alternatives to traditional air and land routes, enhancing connectivity with Malaysia. New air routes such as Bangkok-Johor Bahru are expected to further bolster this market.

Indonesia presents another opportunity given its vast population of 270 million. Taiwan also registered over 1 million arrivals for the first time last year, while the South Korean market is projected to hit 2 million visitors by 2025, surpassing last year's 1.8 million.

 

India remains a key focus, with TAT eyeing 2.3-2.5 million tourists from there, buoyed by expanding air connectivity and routes. Meanwhile, Russia is set to maintain its position as the top European source market, with a projected 10% increase from 1.7 million arrivals last year.

 

The Middle East and Kazakhstan are eyed for over 20% growth given their previously low visitor numbers, providing ample room for expansion.

 

Despite renewed competition from other countries, China is still expected to be Thailand's largest source market. Thapanee acknowledged potential challenges in the coming years, including natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, and policies from the US under Donald Trump, alongside potential new health crises.

 

In March, the TAT will participate in ITB Berlin 2025, a key European travel trade fair. With plans to double the space of the Thai pavilion, they aim to generate 5-6 billion baht from business deals, up from last year's 3 billion.

 

The government is also fostering participation from untapped Thai provinces by offering free booth rental, providing new players marketing strategy training in a push led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-01-22

 

 

[sungod]

Come Sample our smog!

 

(File photo for reference only)

[Gottfrid]

Now comes the fabulous numbers again, that will be revised about 25-30 times during the year. 

[spidermike007]

Thailand is no longer attracting very many Western tourists for a dozen very good reasons. Right now it is predominantly Malaysian, Indian, Arab, Chinese, and Russian. One could argue that these are relatively low quality tourists, in terms of the amounts of money that they spend. Sure you have a few wealthy Russians and some wealthy Chinese, but most are lower to middle income and don't spend alot. 

 

This process will not be reversed until the authorities wake up and make some sacrifices such as lowering luxury taxes, lowering wine taxes, cleaning up the air, making the highways safer, allowing more private air travel, helicopter travel, high-speed trains and alternatives to the totally choked and extremely hazardous highways. 

 

And now they have invited in the Bratva, by opening up the country to all Russians. And the Chinese triads. Quantity over quality only works if you are selling $2 items at a swap meet. Dumb and dumber. 

 

[Patong2021]

Poor Pattaya. It's beach will soon offer the same aroma as a cat's old litter box.

 

[proton]

Emerging markets- we will have anyone, and as many as possible, no matter how undesirable they are 😙

[PomPolo]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

emerging markets like Southeast Asia, India, and Russia

Not sure how 'emerging' these are if you go to Phuket or Pattaya these days, fortunately not as many emerging markets exist in the north of Thailand thankfully.

[KireB]

You can't see the mountains because of the smog. CP, Mitr Pholband tbe lot of corrupt politicians and institutions are killing the golden goose. Like watching a car crash in slow motion.

[Guderian]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Taiwan also registered over 1 million arrivals for the first time last year, while the South Korean market is projected to hit 2 million visitors by 2025, surpassing last year's 1.8 million.

 

Taiwan and South Korea are emerging markets nowadays??? lol

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has set an ambitious target of generating 3 trillion baht in tourism revenue this year. This bold objective comes as TAT diversifies its focus towards emerging markets like Southeast Asia, India, and Russia, with the aim of reducing dependency on the traditionally strong but unpredictable Chinese market.

TAT is slowly destroying some of the much loved resorts from over crowding and unsustainability.

[StayinThailand2much]

Pi**ed off the tourists from developed countries, so now they're going for travellers from countries such as Somalia, Haiti, Afghanistan, etc. ... Go Thailand,! 😆

[black tabby12345]

54 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

TAT is slowly destroying some of the much loved resorts from over crowding and unsustainability.

 

Perfect example of the Overtourism.

[Gottfrid]

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Sure you have a few wealthy Russians and some wealthy Chinese, but most are lower to middle income and don't spend alot. 

One could argue that you look at westerners as superior. It might come as a shock to you, but in fact, most travelling westerners are to be considered in the middle income bracket too.

[klauskunkel]

Quote

Tourism Authority of Thailand Aims for ฿3 Trillion

India remains a key focus

Indian tourists could come up with the 3 Trillion by themselves by donating their gold necklaces to Thai GDP

[KireB]

13 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

Indian tourists could come up with the 3 Trillion by themselves by donating their gold necklaces to Thai GDP

Germans (or Austrians) should give my stolen grandfathers bike back. Racist slur, isn't it?

[phetphet]

Thailand will soon have to start building more prisons.

[Justanotherone]

bring in more trash that come deal and pimp, rob and steal...

[trainman34014]

Ah; these must be the 'High End' Tourists they have been talking about for the last ten years....555.

[klauskunkel]

2 hours ago, KireB said:

Germans (or Austrians) should give my stolen grandfathers bike back. Racist slur, isn't it?

Nah, your statement isn't racist..., it's quite stupid, though.

[black tabby12345]

2 hours ago, phetphet said:

Thailand will soon have to start building more prisons.

 

More tourist dollars.

So as the increased Persona Non Grata (unwelcome kinds).

 

 

[KireB]

1 hour ago, klauskunkel said:

Nah, your statement isn't racist..., it's quite stupid, though.

It's totally racist, just as your statement about Indians. 

[klauskunkel]

1 hour ago, KireB said:

It's totally racist, just as your statement about Indians. 

Historical race concepts

Some scientists sorted human beings into three groups. These groups were called races: The Caucasian race living in Europe, North Africa and West Asia, the Mongoloid race living in East Asia, Australia, and the Americas, and the Negroid race living in Africa south of the Sahara. Other scientists spoke of four or five races.

These ideas were popular from the late 18th century to the middle of the 20th century. These are now called historical definitions of race or historical race concepts.

Today, scientists agree that there is only one human race. Modern genetic research has shown that the idea of three (or four, or five) races was wrong.

 

You see, my dear, since there is only one race, namely the human race, your concept of racism is outdated and irrelevant...

[BayArea]

12 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

lowering wine taxes

you are consistent, I will give you that! 🤣

[BayArea]

it won't be long now before Thailand will start asking African countries to come when every marketing ploy runs out to squeeze the baht from all the corners of the world. 

[black tabby12345]

10 hours ago, klauskunkel said:

Indian tourists could come up with the 3 Trillion by themselves by donating their gold necklaces to Thai GDP

 

 

You are right.

Many of the Indians are Hinduists(some Muslims).

And back home, they are known for the  religious virtue called  Backsheesh/Buckshee(Charity Donation to the poor).

Equivalent of Buddhists' Tam Bun =Willing Giveaway

 

Today, India is the 5th biggest economy in the world.

While Thailand's rank is 26th.

So they can be quite willing to make a big donation while here LOL.

[DonniePeverley]

 

They keep pushing for more and more cheaper tourists. 

 

Instead of trying to clean up and attract a wealthier quality tourist. 

 

Just horrific. 

[Justanotherone]

are tourists DUMB???  dangerous levels of air

[kinyara]

On 1/22/2025 at 10:14 AM, spidermike007 said:

Thailand is no longer attracting very many Western tourists for a dozen very good reasons. Right now it is predominantly Malaysian, Indian, Arab, Chinese, and Russian. One could argue that these are relatively low quality tourists, in terms of the amounts of money that they spend. Sure you have a few wealthy Russians and some wealthy Chinese, but most are lower to middle income and don't spend alot. 

 

This process will not be reversed until the authorities wake up and make some sacrifices such as lowering luxury taxes, lowering wine taxes, cleaning up the air, making the highways safer, allowing more private air travel, helicopter travel, high-speed trains and alternatives to the totally choked and extremely hazardous highways. 

 

And now they have invited in the Bratva, by opening up the country to all Russians. And the Chinese triads. Quantity over quality only works if you are selling $2 items at a swap meet. Dumb and dumber. 

 

 

" Thailand is no longer attracting very many Western tourists for a dozen very good reasons "

 

There you go again stating this falsehood  without actually looking at the data. In 2024 4 out of the top 5 Western tourist markets - UK, Germany, Australia and France - were either just over or just under the 2019 peak numbers. 

 

None of those markets have ever been in the top 10 numbers wise, so nothing has changed in that regard. 

 

As usual your post relies more on your borderline racist outlook without any reference to factual information 

[DonniePeverley]

Cheap mass tourism is really ugly. The state of tourists here are turning away high quality tourists. 

 

Utterly disgusting. 

[kwilco]

On 1/22/2025 at 3:21 PM, BayArea said:

it won't be long now before Thailand will start asking African countries to come when every marketing ploy runs out to squeeze the baht from all the corners of the world. 

you are overlooking income and distance - tourists from India and China are short haul tourists - just like people from Europe the cost of flying to Thailand is very high and people are unlikely to come in the same numbers as from India and China.

 

Also worth remembering that tourist numbers still haven't reached pre-Covid levels