Chinese tourists waiting for boat at Koh Larn off Pattaya coast
Thailand’s tourism is expected to keep its growth momentum in 1Q2017, which industry players have attributed to the quick recovery of Chinese and Russian markets.
Despite the downward trend in Chinese arrivals following the recent clampdown on zero-dollar tours, Lunar New Year reservations from China grew five per cent contrary to the projected four per cent drop, said Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Yuthasak Supasorn.
Charoen Wangananont, president of Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), expects a full recovery of Chinese arrivals within the first quarter, adding that this could be accelerated if the government extends the visa fee waiver for Chinese travellers ending in February to October.
Supawan Tanomkieatipum, president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), has likewise observed strong bookings from the Chinese, Indian and Russian markets in the first quarter, and further projects average hotel occupancy to reach 70 per cent, up from 68 per cent during the same period last year.
In 1Q2017, TAT expects international tourist arrivals to grow three per cent to 9.3 million and tourism income to increase seven per cent to 490 billion baht (US$14 billion), while domestic tourism is expected to rise eight per cent to 32.5 million trips amounting to 240 billion baht in tourism income (up 12 per cent).
China (2.4 million visitors), Russia (460,000 visitors) and Malaysia (900,000 visitors) rank among the top three source markets in the current quarter, according to TAT.
