Hanoi(VNA) – Thailand expects to welcome 33 to 34 million visitors this year, whichis lower than its earlier forecast of 35 million, Tourism Minister KobkarnWattanavrangkul said on October 12.
So far this year, Thailandhas welcomed nearly 27 million foreign tourists, she said, adding that thewhole year target is possible. However, she did not give a reason for theprojecting of a lower number.
The smaller numberwould still be a record for Thailand, which welcomed 32.6 million foreignvisitors in 2016, with the largest group coming from China.
Tourist arrivals sofar this year are 5.6 percent above the same period of 2016, with 7.63 millionout of the total of 26.9 million coming from China, Minister Kobkarn said.
Thailand is heavilydependent on tourism, which accounts for around 12 percent of the GDP.
Tourism was hurt bywidespread floods in 2011 and political turmoil and a coup in 2014, but theindustry recovered quickly.-VNA