Thailand expects tourism revenue of nearly $50 billion in 2017

REUTERS

 

A thai classical dancer poses for photos at the Erawan shrine in central of Bangkok, Thailand, August 30, 2016. Picture taken August 30, 2016. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand expects revenue from foreign tourists to rise 8.5 percent to 1.78 trillion baht ($49.8 billion) this year, a deputy prime minister said on Monday.

 

The expected rise results from an improved outlook for global tourism as well as Thailand's investment in infrastructure, Deputy Prime Minister Thanasak Patimaprakorn told reporters.

 

"This is another year that we will need to focus on quality tourism more than tourist numbers," he said.

 

Thanasak expects daily tourist spending to increase to 5,200 baht per person this year, from 5,100 baht last year.

Last year, Thailand had 32.6 million visitors, a rise of nearly 9 percent from the year before.

 

(Reporting By Pracha Hariraksapitak; Writing by Pairat Temphairojana; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-01-10

I really have to chuckle at these consistent forecasts of how much and how many tourists will come and spends. Talking about a crystal ball.  I understand projection forecasts but that usually comes with a formulae. I do wonder if this formula is picked out of a hat. Either way my first laugh of the day. No doubt another one by the end of the week on tourism.

However they arrive at these figures is a mystery. It really doesn't matter, because it is one of the few areas of economic activity in the country which is, to all intents and purposes, unquantifiable. The government can make these claims confident that whilst they may not be believed they can not be disproved. Most other assessment of economic activity are based upon verifiable statistics - how many cars were sold and so on - tourism is not.

A 100bht a day increase in spending per tourist !! How the hell do they work that out!! 

Its funny how we get all these projections and equally everyone coming on and saying it's quieter where they are..It's been the same for several years !! Pie in the sky and wishful thinking ! 

No way! Experts, netizens, PM, and many others see at least 70 billion! Why so conservative TAT?

"This is another year that we will need to focus on quality tourism more than tourist numbers," he said.

 

Then why do they consistently show pride in the increased numbers?

I thought the Goose that lays the golden eggs,was a little ill,

they must have given it some medicine,but they really need

to take greater care of it.

regards worgeordie

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Thanasak expects daily tourist spending to increase to 5,200

The average Chinese tourist can buy over 500 cokes with this amount to spend and still have enough to gorge on a prawn buffet.

If this is true, $50 billion per year, why is this capital not being invested in structured re-training programs for the vast majority of the heavily indebted farmers and industry works to help life them from poverty and grow what is possibly the fastest growing area in Thailand economy even more???? 

 

Digibum expects to win the lottery in 2017.  Applies for loans until lottery money arrives.  

 

they are all coming over to enjoy the new massive water

park aka floods down south--bring your swimcap!

As foretold, by fortune teller. And as a previous finance minister said. White lies are ok!

1 hour ago, jonclark said:

If this is true, $50 billion per year, why is this capital not being invested in structured re-training programs for the vast majority of the heavily indebted farmers and industry works to help life them from poverty and grow what is possibly the fastest growing area in Thailand economy even more???? 

 

Because the farmers drive bigger cars than the Bangkokians....

Headlines like the OP are attempts to reassure the locals that the myths perpetuated are true, e.g., the world loves Thailand, the junta is doing a great job. In New York, they call it three-card monte.

HA ha HA Ha who writes this stuff Mel Brooks

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand expects revenue from foreign tourists to rise 8.5 percent

So it now expects a decline?

Last week TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said there would be a 10% increase from 2016 revenues.

Very odd.

At the beginning of any year there is hope... its only when we view it in the rear view mirror that the light fades and hope diminishes (old thai ministry of tourism proverb) 

7 hours ago, madmitch said:

"This is another year that we will need to focus on quality tourism more than tourist numbers," he said.

 

Then why do they consistently show pride in the increased numbers?

 

Probably because the so called quality tourists failed to turn up, again.

Living in Patong, Phuket I see many busineses closing their doors due to lack of customers. Where do his figures come from and where are these record numbers going? Is it Chinese 'tourists'who sit in their hotel rooms all day and night? No help whatsoever to Thailand

That's awesome!  I expect to win a car, look 5 years younger and have all the women I'm attracted to constantly coming to my door.

Too lofty?

I will bet you that it does not happen more BS from TAT

The expected rise results from an improved outlook for global tourism as well as Thailand's investment in infrastructure, Deputy Prime Minister Thanasak Patimaprakorn told reporters.

 

What investment Buses and Vans that KILL every day not to mention those who jump? who is taking the P--- here

Numbers are just that but if every tourist just spends 100baht more it adds up to a lot of money!

100baht x20million times 14 days,if true yes a lot of cash.

The first two words say it all....''Thailand Expects''.       Seen those words so many times down the years from the eternal dreamers !

OK say they get it right? Where is the breakdown in expenditure? Which part of the country gets the most spent on it. Discretionary budget to get printed in the paper for toilet paper the next day.

What is GDP supposed to be? It will be about 400 billion in 2016….so tourism is worth about 12.5% of GDP?

The expected rise results from an improved outlook for global tourism as well as Thailand's investment in infrastructure, Deputy Prime Minister Thanasak Patimaprakorn told reporters.

Guess Deputy Prime Minister Thanasak Patimaprakorn sits in Bangkok and has not seen the flood damages in the south on site.
Plenty of streets and bungalows have been washed away, there is sand and garbage everywhere. The sea has a dirty, brown color from the foliage and clay from the mountains, Water supplies are broken, electric piles are collapsed, air traffic restricted, traffic main line to Bangkok interrupted, garbage collection disturbed. Everywhere water pools full with mosquito larvae, beaches filthy, etc.

So where are the relief funds from the government now?
If tourism brings so much money!

Sitting in the ivory tower and playing constant unrealistic on the harp, does not help.




 

And I expect to win the Powerball, Mega Millions and Super Lotto lotteries this week. 

The expected rise results from .... as well as Thailand's investment in infrastructure, ....
Yeah.
 

On the other islands it looks the same.