Thailand is trying to find a replacement for the two tourist “weightlifters” – namely, the Chinese and Russian markets, which are expected in the country will not resume sending their tourists at least until the end of 2022. This is projected to reduce Thailand’s tourism market by almost 35% before the pandemic. At present, there are already 713,000 foreigners who have entered Thailand, of which more than 50% are tourists.
On May 1, the day of the removal of barriers at the border and the abandonment of former entry systems, the Thai Tourism Authority voiced optimistic expectations – the country hopes to attract at least 1 million tourists a month on the eve of the high season in the last quarter of 2022. At the same time, the forecasts of 10-15 million tourists in 2022 in the TAT still abandoned – including due to the departure of “heavyweights”.
“We are focused on entering the tourist markets from some key countries within the so-called” long-distance transport market “. Such countries include the United States, Canada and Saudi Arabia, “TAT said. The latter has been actively working in Thailand since December to attract tourists. Efforts are also focused on the short-haul market. TAT seeks to attract tourists from India, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea. The countries of Latin America and Europe are also among the targets, although it is not specified which ones.
TAT chief Yutasak Supasorn said he remained optimistic. “Despite the difficult conditions associated with low confidence in travel, labor shortages in tourism, the Russian-Ukrainian war and a poor economy, our goal of 7-10 million tourists remains within reach,” he said.