Thailand: 13.70 Percent More Tourist Arrivals

[webfact]

13.70 More Tourist to Thailand

In spite of the sharp declines in arrivals during the political crisis months of May and June 2010, international visitor arrivals in the first four months of this year were still high enough to allow the country to enjoy a 13.70% increase in total arrivals in the first half.

Figures tabulated by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports in January-June 2010, showed total arrivals by nationality of 7,515,025 up from 6,609,313 or up 13.70% over the same period of 2009.

This is because arrivals in the first half of 2009 had been hit by the impact of the global financial and economic crisis prevailing at the time, making this year’s rate of increase relatively high over a low base figure. It also reflects the fact that while arrivals to Bangkok were significantly affected, arrivals to Phuket remained relatively buoyant.

As the arrivals in June and July 2010 have picked up significantly, thanks to the launch of recovery programmes and a broad range of promotional packages, the Tourism Authority of Thailand officials are optimistic that it will still be possible to meet the year’s total arrivals target of 14.5 million arrivals.

According to the TAT Governor Suraphon Svetsreni, the strong market recovery efforts being exerted by the Thai tourism private sector, Thai Airways International, as well as the high-profile promotions such as the “Thailand Today” mega-fam trip should make it possible to make up lost ground in the second half of this year.

Asian economies have showed steady economic improvements and the short-haul markets such as India, China and Indonesia are showing great promise. At the same time, the airline industry is adding more flights from key markets; such as, Australia, Japan, and Singapore. Many countries are also relaxing or withdrawing their travel warnings to Thailand, and new markets such as China, Russia and India are showing significant growth, Mr Suraphon noted.

source: ScandAsia.com

-- ScandAsia

2010-07-24

[Thailand]

Spin doctors out in force.

[cloudhopper]

Reminiscent of those old commie statistics like "shipping on the Volga increased by 5.3 %".

Released by the bureau of shipping, naturally.

[LuckyLew]

These numbers must be true, I was up at swampy for two hours yesterday and saw two planes land

[lazygourmet]

News sound a bit different -and more realistic- from travel agencies point of view:

Bangkok travel agencies report declines:

According to ATTA statistics, visitors handled by member companies at Bangkok airport in June decreased 18% to 76,040 from 93,029 guests, during the same month last year.

More here: TTRdaily

[laurentbkk]

The TAT always advance some numbers which are of course impossible to verify ... 13.7% compare with last year at the same period as they say .. Hard to believe when you talk to hotels management they say % in occupancy dropped a lot compare with last year. In Bangkok many major hotel dont even arrive at 50% occupancy . I think its time for the TAT to tell the truth at least once . Actually Bangkok airport became a hub for other destination such as Vietnam, Cambodia,Laos etc .... Do they take in consideration the number of transit passengers as well ?  <img class="bbc_emoticon" alt="" src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/whistling.gif"><img class="bbc_emoticon" alt="" src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/whistling.gif"><br>

[SomTumTiger]

These numbers must be true, I was up at swampy for two hours yesterday and saw two planes land

Lol - you are funny.

[Changian]

In spite of the sharp declines in arrivals during the political crisis months of May and June 2010,

As the arrivals in June and July 2010 have picked up significantly

So in TAT speak: sharp decline = significant increase

[dumball]

Strange as it may seem to some , I think they are counting tourists in transit , because the rise in Cambodia was 13.8% in that same period , that would not account for all phseudo arrivals as Cambodia has fewer arivals by the number , but it would also appear that tourism to laos had also increased . There was an agreement reached between Laos , Vietnam and Cambodia to put a combined advertising effort on a tri-lateral basis , Vietnam did not put this into effect immediatly nor make the neccessary arrangements for arrivals , they lost out to both Laos and Cambodia despite the fact that Vietnam airways are bringing in more traffic .

[TackyToo]

Statistic is a whore!

[kjmac]

One of those tourist must have had one leg that's how they arrive at 13.7 extra !

[kuffki]

Monday-Thai Gov employs USA based firm to help boost economy

Tuesday-Thai Gov is worried as debt is rising

Wed-Tourist number are low

Thursday-Thai economy is doing great and growing from a mosquito to an elephant

I wonder what would be Fridays headlines?-nothing but here comes Saturday

Tourists numbers are not only up but is an increase of 13%.

From memory figures for last year were 11 000 000, so how did the figures changed to 6 000 000 and are on the up.

If anything, if my memory serves me correct -tourist numbers have halved from last year according to figures posted in this article

[Pib]

How in the world is Thailand going to provide room and board for this surge in tourism??!! Oh yea, I forgot, in the half empty hotels.

[chainarong]

More spin , welcome everybody,Do have a great time ,Do spend plenty of BHT, Don't wear any yellow or red shirts, Don't help to burn down any buildings, Do arrive back home safe.

[Ulysses G.]

I hate to bust anyone's bubble, but every tourist-oriented business that I know reports many more customers during the last month.

[zzaa09]

Perhaps the periodical uprising is good for business.....

[david555]

No it is true , i am one of them ttogheter with 8 other ones.........................!! i did my visa run

[jackr]

13.70 More Tourist to Thailand

I don't think 14 more tourists and one missing a leg is anything to shout about.

Edited July 24, 2010 by jackr

[animatic]

Statistic is a whore!

People who pedal faux statistics are often whores...

Raise the numbers fast or you're off the job.

[Raldy]

As previously stated, they are also counting the transit customers through to Cambodia and Laos.

Seems many tourists are now bypassing Thailand for Cambodia. Can't blame them.

[JohnnyFeelIt]

As previously stated, they are also counting the transit customers through to Cambodia and Laos.

Seems many tourists are now bypassing Thailand for Cambodia. Can't blame them.

Probably all the boarder passes too

[Kimera]

I have a Thai freind, an Accountant in a Major hotel on Phuket. hotel at 10% and he is on 4 days a week

[LittleJoe]

I have a Thai freind, an Accountant in a Major hotel on Phuket. hotel at 10% and he is on 4 days a week

10% Occupancy?

That's terrible. It seems too low, even with the recent declines.

[tartempion]

As the arrivals in June and July 2010 have picked up significantly

Was on a flight from Abu Dhabi into Bangkok 28 June, equipment change from B777/300ER to A330/300, thus 110 seats LESS.

Also read Eva Airways canceled several flights each week from LHR to BKK, etc

[ARGUSEYE]

Jesus, tourist arrivals up 13.7%??

Why then can I book a seat to Bangkok from Germany tomorrow on almost any airline and the price is up to 25% below last year's??