Thailand Tourism: 32.7 Million International Visitors in 2024

Overview

Thailand welcomed 32.7 million international tourists between January 1 and December 8, 2024, generating approximately 1.535 trillion baht (100 Baht = RM13.12) in tourism revenue, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thianthong.

Tourist Arrivals in December 2024

During the week of December 2 to 8, the country saw 699,129 international arrivals, averaging 99,876 visitors per day. While this represented a slight 1.03 per cent decline compared to the previous week, a strong rebound in Malaysian tourists helped offset the decreases in other markets.

Key Markets

Other key markets for the week included China (111,468 visitors), Russia (47,893), India (46,094), and South Korea (37,823). However, arrivals from China, South Korea, India, and Russia saw slight declines.

Long-Haul Markets

Sorawong noted a slight uptick in long-haul markets, particularly from Scandinavia – such as Sweden, Norway, and Finland.

Looking Ahead

The ministry anticipates an increase in international arrivals driven by several factors, including the peak travel season for European tourists and increased airline seat capacity. Flights to Thailand have risen by 10 per cent from July to the year’s end. The government’s initiatives, such as removing the need for the TM6 immigration form at land checkpoints and promoting higher flight frequencies, are expected to further enhance travel convenience.

Tourist Source Markets

As of December 9, China remained Thailand’s largest tourist source market, with 6.3 million visitors, followed by Malaysia (4.6 million), India (1.96 million), South Korea (1.72 million), and Russia (1.55 million).

Conclusion

The robust recovery of the short-haul market, especially from neighboring Malaysia, reflects the effectiveness of ongoing tourism recovery efforts.

FAQs

* What was the total number of international tourists in Thailand in 2024? – 32.7 million
* What was the total tourism revenue in 2024? – Approximately 1.535 trillion baht (100 Baht = RM13.12)
* Which market saw the largest surge in tourist arrivals? – Malaysia, with a 24.58 per cent increase
* What is expected to drive an increase in international arrivals? – Peak travel season for European tourists and increased airline seat capacity