Visitors at a temple in Bangkok (Photo: VNA)Bangkok (VNA) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has lowered itsestimate for tourism revenue growth in 2019 from 10 percent to 9.5 percent dueto global slowdown, strong baht and rising fuel prices.
TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said that tourism revenue is anticipated to fallfrom previously forecast 3.4 trillion baht (111.24 billion USD) to 3.38trillion baht, with earning from foreign visitors at 2.21 trillion baht.
The number of international travelers this year is estimated at 40.2 million,far short of the number of between 41.1 million and 41.3 million visitors theauthority confidently targeted early the year.
Yuthasak pointed out several negative conditions surrounding Thai tourism wereexpected to ease next year. At the same time, the TAT’s marketing plans areexpected to increase the number of visitors to the Southeast Asian country.
The TAT targets 3.72 trillion baht in tourism revenue in 2020, a year-on-yearsurge of 10 percent.
Yuthasak said the target was a considerable challenge, but it could beachievable. The TAT would place a higher focus on market segmentation, andniche marketing, especially lifestyle and health-concerns tourists.
Expanding cooperation with foreign travel agents will be promoted to broadenmarket and facilitate foreign visitors making arrangements abroad, he added.
There will be about 42 million foreign arrivals to Thailand in 2020,contributing about 2.43 trillion baht, or 65 percent of the total receipts,while domestic travel will make up the balance, 1.28 trillion baht, he said.-VNA
VNA
