Thailand's tourism sector grew rapidly with 17.5 million visitors in 2024

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports announced major successes in tourism for the first half of 2024, attributed to the government's supportive policies.

From January 1 to June 30, Thailand welcomed more than 17.5 million international tourists, generating more than 825 billion baht in revenue. To continue this momentum, the government will promote the "IGNITE Thailand's Tourism" initiative, which aims to enhance the country's tourism potential in various ways. This strategy includes connecting main city tourist routes with attractive secondary cities, especially in the lower northeast region.

A notable promotional activity is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Thai-Chinese diplomatic relations with the "LABUBU's Welcome Ceremony" project.

In the first six months of 2024, Thailand received about 17.5 million international tourists, who spent about 825.54 billion baht. The top five countries with the most visitors were China, Malaysia, India, South Korea, and Russia. During the last week of June, due to Pride Month 2024 celebrations, 660,000 international tourists arrived, an increase of 2.98% from the previous week.

To sustain this growth, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is promoting the "IGNITE Thailand's Tourism" policy, which focuses on major cities and connects them with other attractive destinations. This effort starts with the lower northeastern provinces, such as Nakhon Ratchasima, which offers natural, cultural, and historical tourism. TAT aims to make Nakhon Ratchasima Thailand's first and only UNESCO Triple Heritage city, which includes the Sakarat Environmental Research Station, Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, and Khorat Geopark.

The initiative promotes a positive Thai image by dressing the LABUBU mascot in traditional Thai attire and creating a promotional video for Chinese tourists. The ministry expects more international tourists to visit due to factors such as the popularity of Lisa's new music video "Rockstar" and the European summer holiday season. Prime Minister Sritha Thawisin expressed confidence in Thailand's tourism potential and collaborative efforts across various sectors to continuously revitalize the industry, ensure safety and convenience for tourists, and ultimately benefit all citizens.