Thailand is now aiming to generate 400 billion baht (US$11 billion) in tourism revenue for the second half of the year, as the kingdom welcomes back more visitors following the relaxation of pandemic-era border regulations.
According to Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek, Thailand has seen a rebound in the first eight months of 2022, having already welcomed back more than 4 million visitors. The return of international tourists resulted in the registration of 549 new tourism-related businesses in the first seven months of the year – an increase of 169% year on year.
To further boost the tourism industry, the government recently announced it will extend one of its most popular tourist visas from 15 to 30 days beginning in October. The government estimates that tourism revenue will be around 400 billion baht in the second quarter of the year, and that the number of foreign tourists will reach 10 million by the end of 2022.
During the pandemic, foreign arrivals to Thailand dropped to 428,000 last year, compared to a record of nearly 40 million arrivals in 2019 when tourism made up 12% of the nation’s GDP. (NNT)
 |
 |
 |
