Tourists spent nearly 8 billion baht in Pattaya in 2011, up 8.7 percent from 2010 despite countrywide flooding that dampened arrivals for much of the autumn.
The estimated figures compiled by the Pattaya office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand show the impact that the street markets and festivals have on tourism in the city, said TAT Pattaya Director Athapol Vannakit. Events such as the Pattaya Countdown and International Fireworks Competition keep people coming to the city again and again, he said.
TAT Pattaya Director Athapol Vannakit.
“It’s evident Pattaya was affected by the flooding in Thailand, but tourism held steady with numbers not drastically different from the previous year,” Athapol said. During 2010, Pattaya’s hotels, restaurants, stores, bars and attractions raked in about 7 billion baht. However, that year was among the worst of the decade, thanks to the deadly May 2010 “red shirt” riots in Bangkok.
Athapol noted that continued tourism growth in Pattaya is threatened by a rapid increase in the number of hotels opening in the Eastern Seaboard. Pattaya, he said, may soon be forced to share its visitors with Bang Saray, Baan Amphur, Bangsaen and Koh Sichang.
The local TAT director said final numbers for 2011 are still be compiled and will be released shortly.
