Tourism in Thailand from other parts of the world is a significant driver of Thailand’s economy. The country was dealt a severe blow by the COVID-19 epidemic; nonetheless, it is working to boost its travel business while also making preparations for the international travel market to recover further.

Thailand’s economy is highly dependent on international tourism, a once-thriving industry that has been hampered by limitations imposed as a result of the epidemic. However, the government has been making consistent efforts to increase domestic travel, and it has also taken steps to support the return of demand from international travelers ever since it began reopening its borders to vaccinated international visitors from 63 different countries on November 1, 2021. 1 Even while the rest of the globe works to combat new strains of the virus, the lessons that Thailand has to offer can serve as a model for other nations who rely heavily on tourism yet are confronted with similar challenges as they get ready for an increase in international travel.

Tourism in Thailand encountered A severe blow, with necessary changes to help the recovery.

Statistics of tourism in Thailand In 2019, Thailand ranked seventh worldwide in terms of the number of international tourists that visited the country, with China being a significant source market. The year 2019 saw a record number of tourists arrive in Thailand: 40 million. The hotel industry, retail (which accounted for 24 percent of total expenditure), and the food and beverage sector were the top three spending categories for incoming tourists in that year. In addition, the tourist industry in Thailand was responsible for the creation of 36 million employment between the years of 2014 and 2019.

Unfortunately, the epidemic and the limitations that followed have had an especially negative impact on travel, as seen by the precipitous drop in foreign travel. In September 2021, tourism in Thailand statistics there was a decrease of 95 percent in the number of passengers on foreign flights to Thailand, when compared to the same month the previous year. In response, hotels only occupied 9 percent of their available rooms.

This decrease in visitors had a disproportionately large impact on expenditure related to tourism, since overseas tourists spent a substantially greater amount than their domestic counterparts did. For example, in 2019, overseas tourists accounted for 33 percent of Thailand’s total visitors but spent roughly 60 percent of the country’s total tourism revenue. In comparison, local visitors spent an average of $152, while overseas tourists spent an average of $1,543 each passenger. This decrease in spending surely created a rippling impact on Thailand’s food and beverage retail businesses, which are comprised of 1.2 million small and medium-size firms (SMEs)

The aftermath of the storm: next steps for the travel and tourist industry

In order to assist its critically important travel and tourist industry in weathering the COVID-19 issue, Thailand has implemented a number of creative ways to aid in this endeavor. As new strains of the coronavirus arise, governments should continue to make the protection of their citizens’ health and safety their first priority when formulating their travel policies. Once it is determined that it is safe to do so, there are certain activities that stakeholders may take in order to steer into the new normal and prosper within it.

To better satisfy customer requirements, readjust your product line and price approach. Hotels, tour operators, restaurants, and transportation providers should look into the possibility of exploring chances to offer services and goods that are suitable for the evolving needs of travelers.

Products that are sold in bundles, such as hotel stays and airline tickets, provide additional chances for upselling and cross-selling, in addition to a more diverse source of revenue.

Tourism in Thailand now Travels businesses might also develop and implement tailored pricing strategies to generate long-term loyalty and stickiness in preparation for the complete resumption of international travel. With the phased reopening of popular provinces in Thailand and the inclusion of more visitors from select countries on a quarantine-exemption list, travel companies can now leverage data on traveler behaviors to set the appropriate prices and engage in targeted marketing campaigns according to the country of origin and the country of destination.