Thailand has welcomed over 35 million international tourists in 2024, far surpassing the government’s goal. This is a major achievement for the country, which is working hard to revive its economy after the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Importance of Tourism to Thailand’s Economy
Tourism is a huge part of Thailand’s economy, making up nearly 20% of the country’s total income (Gross Domestic Product or GDP). The COVID-19 pandemic caused a huge slowdown in the tourism sector, but Thailand is bouncing back. In 2024, the number of visitors came close to the pre-pandemic high of 39 million visitors in 2019, according to the Ministry of Sports and Tourism.
Who Are the Visitors?
China has become the number one source of tourists to Thailand again, with more than six million visitors in 2024. This is a big recovery since there was a drop in Chinese tourists after the pandemic. Following China are Malaysia and India, which are also sending many visitors to the kingdom.
Boosting the Economy with Tourism
In 2024, the country earned a massive 1.6 trillion baht (around $46 billion) from tourist spending. This money comes from visitors spending on hotels, food, activities, shopping, and more, helping the Thai economy grow.
Government’s Efforts to Attract Tourists
To bring in more visitors, the Thai government introduced several measures, such as offering free visas to tourists from China and India. These efforts have helped boost the number of tourists arriving.
What’s Next for Thailand’s Tourism?
After exceeding its goal of 35 million tourists in 2024, the government now aims to attract 39 million visitors in 2025. Experts from the World Bank believe that Thailand will see even more tourists in 2025, surpassing its pre-pandemic levels. However, the World Bank also notes that even though there are more visitors, people are spending less money than they did before the pandemic.
Thailand’s tourism industry is making a strong recovery, bringing in millions of visitors and helping to rebuild the country’s economy. With more efforts to attract tourists, the country hopes to see even greater success in the future.
