PATTAYA, Thailand – As Thailand pushes to achieve its ambitious 2025 tourism targets, one of the biggest hurdles remains the cost of air travel. Airfares have risen significantly due to global fuel price fluctuations, airline capacity constraints, and economic uncertainties. For a destination like Pattaya, which relies heavily on international visitors, expensive flights can deter tourists, impacting overall arrival numbers.
While Thailand has successfully relaxed visa policies and boosted promotional efforts, high travel costs could slow momentum. Competing regional destinations with lower airfare and travel costs, such as Vietnam and Malaysia, may draw potential visitors away. To counter this, Thailand may need to negotiate with airlines for more competitive fares, increase direct flight options to U-Tapao Airport, and enhance domestic connectivity to encourage long-haul travelers.
Beyond airfares, other challenges include economic uncertainties in key markets, geopolitical tensions, and infrastructure readiness to handle growing tourist volumes. Addressing these issues will be crucial if Thailand hopes to meet its tourism targets for 2025.
