A total of 24.36 million tourists came to Thailand in the first 10 months of 2015, up 24.75% year-on-year, raising hopes that arrivals this year will be well over the target of 28.8 million.
Wannasiri Morakul, acting director-general of the Tourism Department, said China, Malaysia and Japan provided the largest number of tourists, who spent an estimated 1.16 trillion baht overall
Another 5.2 million foreign visitors were expected over the next two months, bringing the total to over 29.5 million visitors, surpassing the target set at the beginning of the year of 28.8 million. The new estimated tourism revenue for 2015 was 1.42 trillion baht, or 20 billion baht more than the earlier target.
Chinese visitors were providing the biggest boost to Thailand’s overall tourism market, with more than 8 million now expected here this year, above the target of 7.5-7.8 million.
Ms Wannasiri said the improved political situation in Thailand was the positive factor in stimulating tourism growth, coupled with government measures to promote both domestic and overseas tourism, along with stricter safety measures. This had improved foreign tourists' confidence in Thailand as a destination to visit.