THE TOTAL of foreign tourist arrivals in the outgoing year is soaring over 27 million in line with the government’s target with a new goal set to generate 3.5 trillion baht from this sector in the New Year, Thai Rath newspaper said this evening (Dec. 30).
Mr. Chai Watcharong, spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office, said the Ministry of Tourism and Sports has reported that 2023’s total of over 27 million foreign tourists is within the 25-28 million target set by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.
The government now intends to further stimulate tourism so that this key sector brings in 3.5 trillion baht, up from the previous goal of 3 trillion baht, in 2024 with one 1 trillion baht to come from local tourists and 2.5 trillion baht from those visiting Thailand.
In aiming to turn the whole year into one long high season, both domestic and international markets will be spurred with secondary cities promoted.
During the past week (Dec.18-24) altogether 796,808 foreign holidaymakers entered Thailand, an increase of 16.60% over the previous week, with this jump occuring in all key groups.
Of the total of 27,252,488 foreign tourists visiting Thailand during Jan.1-Dec. 24, 2023, the largest group was from Malaysia reaching 4,439,480, followed by Chinese adding up to 3,418,732, South Koreans 1,616,858, Indians 1,587,090 and Russia 1,428,985.
“The Prime Minister believes in the potential of Thailand’s tourism and related industries as they are still promising with more opportunities for growth,” he said.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Girl and catamaran at sunset, Kamala beach, Phuket, Thailand. Photo: Phuket@photographer.net (CC BY 2.0)
Front Page: Tourists enjoying the nightlife at Patong Beach, Phuket. Photo: Thai Rath
Also read: Land Bridge projects to get started in 2025, finished in 2030: PM
Majority keeping mum about their loan shark debts
PATA chairman blasts global geopolitical unrest as ‘existential threat’ to tourism
Thai tourism bounds ahead after post-Covid surge
Vietnam grabs a big share of Thai durian market in China
105bn baht cash flow expected during New Year season
As many as 500,000 refugees might flee to Thailand from Myanmar
China, Vietnam cautioned over dredging, landfill work on South China Sea reefs
One thought on “Foreign tourist arrivals in 2023 topping 27 million”