THE Thai tourism industry is soaring as seen by altogether 9.47 million foreign tourists having come here from the beginning of the year till May 15 with the biggest markets being east and south Asia plus Asean countries, MNG Online said this morning (May 20).
Ms. Trisulee Trisoranakul, deputy spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, also said that total tourist expenditure during this period reached 391 billion baht.
All relevant agencies were urged to improve their operations to maintain the growth momentum and meet targets, with this especially applying to key markets like China.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) estimates that 5.3 million Chinese tourists should come to Thailand this year with the favourable factors possibly increasing the total to 7 million.
Meanwhile Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Co. Ltd. (Aerothai) said that during the first seven months of this fiscal year (Oct. 2022-April 2023) altogether 12,805 flights from China arrived in Thailand, an increase of 98% year-on-year.
A significant increase occurred after the Chinese government allowed travel companies to take tour groups overseas from Feb. 6, 2023 onwards.
Aerothai expects the number of Chinese flights to continue to increase totalling 5,330 in May, 6,090 in June, 7,150 in July, 7,460 in August and 7,340 in September adding up to 46,175 flights this fiscal year.
However Traisulee also pointed that the estimated big jump in Chinese flights is still 66% less than the total that arrived here in 2019 before the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic,
The Transport Ministry is continuously resolving the temporary problem of ground staff shortage at Suvarnabhumi Airport in order to provide smooth service to an increasing number of passengers.
Meanwhile Airports of Thailand (AoT) is in the process of selecting a third party to operate ground services at Suvarnabhumi Airport in addition to two parties already doing in order to further reduce luggage handling delays.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Colourful umbrellas are seen in a restaurant as tourists enjoy a beach in Phuket on January 19, 2023. Photo: Reuters/Jorge Silva and published by CNA
Front Page: Pattaya looks beautiful on a sunny day. Photos: Tourism Authority of Thailand
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