Is Tourism a Large Industry in Thailand?

By Alice Nichols

Thailand, a Southeast Asian country, has been a popular tourist destination for decades. It is known for its beautiful beaches, rich culture, and affordable prices.

But is tourism a large industry in Thailand? Let’s dig deeper into the numbers.

Thailand’s Tourism Industry

Thailand’s economy heavily relies on tourism. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, in 2019, Thailand welcomed a record-breaking 39.8 million international tourists, generating over 1.93 trillion baht (approximately $62 billion USD) in revenue. This made up about 11% of Thailand’s GDP.

Top Tourist Destinations

The most popular tourist destinations in Thailand are Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Krabi. Bangkok alone welcomed over 22 million tourists in 2019.

Tourism Trends

There has been a steady increase in the number of tourists visiting Thailand over the past few years. In 2018, there were 38.27 million international arrivals compared to the previous year’s 35.38 million.

Chinese tourists make up the largest group of visitors to Thailand followed by Malaysians and Indians.

The Impact on the Economy

Tourism has been vital to Thailand’s economic growth as it provides jobs for millions of people directly and indirectly. The tourism industry supports various sectors such as hospitality, transportation, food and beverage services, retail businesses and more.

However, due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions and lockdowns around the world have impacted Thailand’s tourism industry severely. In March 2020 alone visitor arrivals dropped by over 76% compared to March 2019 according to Thai immigration data.

Conclusion

In conclusion, tourism is a significant industry in Thailand that contributes significantly to its economy providing jobs and revenue. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on the tourism industry, and it will take some time to recover. Despite this setback, the Thai government is optimistic and has been implementing measures to boost domestic tourism until international travel resumes to pre-pandemic levels.