If the tendency remains, this year the country will see between 37 and 38 mln tourist arrivals – 10% more than in 2017. The Chinese outnumbered all other nationalities securing the East Asian region the first place among the main tourist source markets for Thailand followed by Europe, South Asia, and the United States. Besides the Chinese, other nationalities which made it up to the top-5 are Malaysians, Indians, Laotians and South Koreans.
Meanwhile growing numbers of tourists generate higher revenue which has already reached 136 mln THB so far, they also mean a higher impact on the environment causing huge concern. In order to rehabilitate the natural resources, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment are joining hands in an effort to protect the most vulnerable tourist destinations. This month, the ever popualr Koh Phi Phi with its Leonardo diCarpio's beach has been closed temporarily for the rainy season for recovery of the island's battered coral reefs and sea life. Soon a special campaigne will be launched to encourage tourists use less plastic and thus create less waste, be conscious about the impact they produce on nature and choose the operators who stick to the principles of sustainable tourism.
Thailand's Tourist Arrivals Grow 6.3% in May
News in Asia
Last month Thailand welcomed 2.8 mln international tourists what corresponds to a 6.3% growth compared to the previous month thus bringing the total number of travellers who entered the country during the first five months of 2018 to 16 mln.