21 Million Tourists, And Still Counting

[Mod]

21 Million Tourists, And Still Counting

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's international tourist arrivals reached the 21-million mark yesterday and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) now aims to achieve 24.5 million next year.

The 21-millionth international tourist this year was on Thai Airways International's flight TG 551 from Ho Chi Minh City, which landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport in the afternoon, according to the TAT, which described the achievement as promising for the country's tourism industry.

"We're confident that the number will increase a little more to 22 million by the year-end," said TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni, who presided over the ceremony at the airport's arrival terminal to welcome the 21-millionth international tourist.

International tourist arrivals, according to TAT, have increased 15 per cent from last year and earned the country more than Bt965 billion, a 24-per-cent rise from last year.

Seeing this promising trend, the TAT now aims higher for 24.5 million international tourists next year, and an estimated Bt1.14 trillion in tourist revenue, according to its press release.

Among the top-10 source countries for international visitors, China stays at the top, followed by Malaysia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, India, Laos, Australia, the United Kingdom and Singapore, according to the TAT.

"Asian tourists are still our main market, and we saw the number of arrivals through Suvarnabhumi and Phuket airports increase 35 and 47 per cent respectively in the first two weeks of December," the TAT governor said.

The Asean Economic Community will take off in 2015 but the idea of an "Asean zone" is already drawing many more Asian tourists to Thailand. It has increased a strong sense of travel, and encouraged Asians to visit their neighbouring countries, he said.

"Our family often takes a holiday in Thailand. We love the beaches here, as they're more beautiful and well-organised than what we have back home in Vietnam," said Niculas Carlsson, a Swedish expatriate, who travelled with his Vietnamese wife and two children on THAI TG 551 from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok.

"Last year, we went to Phuket and now we are returning for a holiday in Samui Island."

Thailand's tourism industry is also wooing Russian tourists, who seek an escape from the cold winter at home, to the "tropical paradise" in Thailand.

Conde Nast Traveler, a respected travel magazine, recently released its annual reader survey, and the voting result spreads a positive image of Thailand to global readers.

Bangkok has become travellers' first choice among Asian cities, beating Hong Kong, Kyoto and Singapore. Chiang Mai, in Thailand's North, is ranked fifth in the annual Readers' Choice Awards.

In the Top 10 Islands in Asia category, Phuket is ranked second behind Bali, and Koh Samui is ranked fifth.

The Nation 2012-12-29

[nookiebear]

It would be nice if it was true!

[sao baht]

It would be nice if it was true!

Maybe to many Chinks in their guestimate 

[Somnat]

I am sure that most of the Aussies on that list make their way to Buriram 

In the last couple of months I have met / heard about more Aussies than in the last 10 years

My only concern is that prices will rise due the better quality of this breed of visitor

[smoooth2]

     Well said Somnat ... Cheers !!   

Have a great New Year everyone ... see you at I-Mobile

[Alan]

Strewth, the place is going down the dunny!!!! 

[Somnat]

Nah. Its still a Bonza place Alan

[Alan]

 

[Prakhonchai Nick]

Take away the vias run people + the hundreds who have enjoyed Prakhonchai Expats tours to Siem reap and Laos, and the numbers are well below what TAT is claiming!

It's New year, so let them have their way

Happy New year to all. Hope to meet up with some of you that I have not yet come across.