Almost 38 million tourist arrivals to Thailand projected this year

BANGKOK, Jan 16 (TNA) – The Kasikorn Research Center Co,Ltd (KRC) projected that Thai tourism market 2018 will grow constantly and about 37.64 -37.99 million tourist arrivals are expected in 2018. According to the think tank’s analysis, Thai tourism tends to expand continuously this year, supported by good atmosphere, the government’s marketing campaigns to promote cultural, gastronomy and sport tourism. The aviation sector also favours growing tourism markets as both Thai and international airlines expand routes, connecting Thailand’s secondary tourist provinces with more cities in other countries. The KRC expected that in 2018, there will be about 37.64-37.99 million tourist arrivals to Thailand, an increase of 6.5-7.5 per cent, generating the country’s income of 1.97-2.01 trillion baht, up 8.8-10.4 per cent. However, tour operators should monitor the Chinese market, which could be more competitive if relations between China and South Korea improve. Regarding tourism trend in 2018, the KRC said Thai tour operators should set strategies, linking with the world trend such as technology and communication trend. They should also adopt domestic trends such as Thai way of Life and gastronomy tourism trend, promoted by the government. (TNA)