Thailand Targets Attracting 14 Million Tourists This Year

[webfact]

Thailand targets attracting 14 million tourists this year

BANGKOK, Oct 3 - Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports Chumpol Silapa-archa on Sunday said he was confident that Thailand will attract at least 14 million tourists this year after a drop in tourist numbers due to the political turmoil earlier this year.

Speaking at a ceremony to celebrate the eighth anniversary of the ministry establishment, Mr Chumpol said the ministry was affected by the recent political crisis, particularly in the beginning of this year when the number of tourists dropped due to concerns over safety.

However, good signs of a tourism revival could be seen in the third quarter as the number of hotel reservations has increased and the ministry expects to attract tourists to the targeted number at least 14 million people for the whole year, he said.

Roadshows have been held in Asia, Europe and in cooperation with neighbouring countries to promote tourism in the Mekong region to expand customer base.

Thailand recorded more than 7.5 million tourists in the first half of 2010 and the number of the tourists for the whole year is expect to reach some 14-15 million people, bringing in US$600 billion if there is no violence related to domestic politics.

The minister said he believed there will be nothing serious that could lead to a political protest from now on to the end of the year.

The tourism stimulus campaign in 2011 will add some sports competitions during the low season to attract more tourists to reach 15-15.5 million people, he said. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-10-03

[Jdietz]

Any number left they didn't predict yet over the last few months? One is bound to be spot-on!

[hayden5650]

Thailand is a real tourism hub.

[onlooker]

24 September from here

During the first seven months of this year, Thailand welcomed 8.77 million tourists

From the above article:

Thailand recorded more than 7.5 million tourists in the first half of 2010

So July had around 1.2 million visitors. If only every month was as good as July then they'd reach 14 million no problem.

[asiawatcher]

I think they need a 'crackdown' on tourism. There is just too much unnecessary spending, overstays and numbers entering Thailand threatening the peace and tranquility of the Kingdom. Time to issue 7 day Visa and 5 day overstay limits with 100,000 Baht fines and King Power to take care of the laggers in the Duty Free.

But I love the numbers - 600Bn USD? That means every tourist averages 42.85M USD per head!

[MAJIC]

My Forecast is: : There will be several more forecasts shortly!

[IAMSOBAD]

But obviously no Blacks or Indians may apply.

How many reports do they need about tourists coming when they HATE most of us so much?

Thailand needs sensitivity and rudeness training.

[modafinil]

But I love the numbers - 600Bn USD? That means every tourist averages 42.85M USD per head!

Well it's actually $40,000 baht a head, which is still ridiculous.

Since tourism is only 6% of Thailand's economy (apparently), this mean that Thailand's GDP is going to be 600/0.06 = 10 trillion dollars!

Thailand will have the second biggest economy in the world after the US ($14 T), not too bad! Japan and China down at 5 trillion dollars must be shaking their heads in wonder at the Thai economic miracle .....

[ukinbkk]

But obviously no Blacks or Indians may apply.

How many reports do they need about tourists coming when they HATE most of us so much?

Thailand needs sensitivity and rudeness training.

These departments that come out with these figures suffer from bullshititus syndrom right? Very funny though.. On the training front I think they''re doing just fine in keeping people away, Airport getting taken over by 40 armed black clad men, bombs going off over Bkk, murders in Phuket, militant red shirt training camps in Chiang Mai.. What else is there.... Too much to write about...