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Thai Tourism Ministry Expands Efforts to CIS and Saudi Markets

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thailand-tourism.jpg

Tourism and Sports Minister Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn | Photo via กระทรวงการท่องเที่ยวและกีฬา/Facebook

 

Thailand's Tourism Ministry is actively seeking high-spending tourists from emerging markets for the rest of 2025. The focus is on Saudi Arabia, China, and several CIS countries to boost the tourism sector. Plans include opening a new Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office in Riyadh to attract more Saudi tourists, who have significantly increased since diplomatic ties were restored, surpassing visitors from the UAE.

 

In 2024, 228,032 Saudi tourists visited Thailand, a 28% increase from the previous year, and numbers are expected to grow despite the Iran-Israel conflict. Saudi tourists stay for an average of two weeks, spending around 110,000 baht per person. With interests in shopping, beach holidays, and medical tourism, they are exploring destinations beyond Bangkok and Phuket, such as Samui, Krabi, and Phang Nga.

 

Minister Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn is set to meet with Saudi Arabia's Tourism Minister in December to enhance tourism ties. Saudi Arabia is interested in Thai expertise in hotel and hospitality management to boost its tourism sector. The focus also extends to other Middle Eastern markets like Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar, known for high spending potential.

 

Thailand's efforts also target a recovery in Chinese tourist numbers, with a goal of 2 to 3 million visitors from October 2025 to January 2026. Although initial Chinese arrivals were slow, TAT aims to increase daily visitors from 10,000 to 20,000 between December and February. Despite a competitive landscape with Japan and Vietnam, rising airfare prices indicate growing demand.

 

TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool notes that current Chinese arrivals are down 30% compared to last year, but numbers are expected to reach between 8 and 9 million in 2026. This would recover approximately 80% of the pre-Covid peak. Additionally, the TAT is observing increased interest from the CIS region, where arrivals from countries like Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan have grown significantly.

 

Visitor numbers may rise further with potential visa exemptions, except for Kazakhstan where arrivals have decreased by 10% this year. To address this, TAT is promoting alternatives to popular spots like Phuket, such as Phang Nga and Hua Hin, to attract Kazakh tourists considering cheaper destinations, reported The Thaiger.

 

Key Takeaways

  • Thailand is actively targeting high-spending tourists from key emerging markets.
  • A new TAT office in Riyadh aims to attract more Saudi visitors and boost tourism ties.
  • Increased competition from Japan and Vietnam challenges efforts to regain Chinese tourists.

 

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image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-11-26

 

 

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  • Popular Post

by all means, invite more from the Middle East and esp. Kuwaitis while you're at it!

Hua Hin sucks, don't promote it please 😁 

On 11/26/2025 at 4:04 PM, snoop1130 said:

Additionally, the TAT is observing increased interest from the CIS region, where arrivals from countries like Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan have grown significantly.

 

Yes, I heard that, particularly, single Uzbek women are very interested to come for extended stays... 😆

On 11/26/2025 at 11:15 PM, BayArea said:

by all means, invite more from the Middle East and esp. Kuwaitis while you're at it!

 

Afghanis make great tourists, so I heard... 😆

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