Tourism in Thailand’s Koh Kut district has experienced a significant decline, particularly from European countries, with a 50% drop in visitors this year.
Koh Kut Subdistrict Administrative Organization Chairman Dechathon Chan-ob said the district, known for the picturesque islands of Koh Kut and Koh Mak, saw a reduced influx of around 100,000 tourists, despite being the highest number since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The decline in foreign tourists, especially Europeans, has been attributed to several global issues, including the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the recent shooting at a Bangkok shopping mall. These events have overshadowed the slight recovery observed due to eased travel restrictions.
Meanwhile, Koh Mak, another island in the district, reported a 20% increase in visitors, buoyed by two prestigious awards. It was recognized by the Green Destinations Foundation and its partners as a Top 100 Destination for Sustainability Stories 2022 and also won second place at the Green Destinations Story Awards in Berlin for its governance, reset, and recovery efforts.
Local leaders are urging the government to implement tourism promotion schemes similar to those of the previous administration. They hope these initiatives, along with the visa exemption policy, might attract more foreign tourists. The expectation is for an uptick in domestic visitors in December, aligning with seasonal travel patterns in Thailand. (NNT)
