BANGKOK, 17 April 2014: Thailand suffered a disappointing 5.85% decline in tourist arrivals, January to March, this year, according to the latest Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ data.
Released just ahead of the Songkran holiday, the ministry reported there were 6,598,240 trips to the country during the first three months down from 7,007,904 over the same period last year.
The decline is due mainly to prolonged political instability since November , last year. Even though the Thai government revoked the state of Emergency Decree last month tour bookings declined as travellers turned to other destinations that are more stable. Malaysia and Vietnam have benefited.
In March alone, foreign trips reached 2,104,072 down 9.39% from 2,322,200 visits during the same month last year.
Considering markets by regions, all markets recorded a decline except Europe that posted the highest growth of 2.25%. The region supplied 680,728 trips up from 665,722.
However, some markets showed a decline: Belgium (-20.36%); Norway (-14.17%); UK (-13.14%); Germany (-10.98%); Ireland (-9.04%); Spain (-5.81%); Switzerland (-2.10%); and Austria (-1.32%).
The top five growth markets were: Finland (+49.25%); Italy (+18.08%); East Europe (+15.02%); Russia (+9.86%); and Sweden (+7.22%).
The Americas showed a decline of 5.06% from 111,163 to 105,540 visits. The United States posted the highest arrivals at 70,933 decreasing 7.26% from 76,488 following by Canada (21,710; -6.67%), Brazil (4,474; +53.39%), and Argentina (3,325; +17.99%).
Oceania recorded a decline 10.78% from 81,978 to 73,139 visits. The two main both suffered declines. New Zealand was down 10.07% and Australia 17.28%.
East Asia (ASEAN included) reported a 14.67% decrease from 1,283,022 to 1,094,813 visits in March.
The main source markets in the region that posted a decline were: Hong Kong (-64.72%); Brunei (-48.86%); Taiwan (-34.27%); Singapore (-29.57%); Philippines (-28.14%); Japan (-26.11%); Vietnam (-23.90%); Malaysia (-20.32%); South Korea (-11.41%); China (-11.06%); Indonesia (-10.45%); and Myanmar (-2.32%).
The markets that showed improvement were: Laos (+62.80%) and Cambodia (+5.59%).
The Middle East showed a decline of 14.86% from 51,163 to 43,559 visits. Israel arrivals led with 10,146 visits decreasing 31.97% from 14,913. Other main markets were: the United Arab Emirates (8,877; -1.97%); Kuwait (3,070; -24.22%); Egypt (1,907; -6.38%); and Saudi Arabia (1,068; -33.29%).
South Asia recorded a 17.68% decline from 114,400 to 94,176 visits. India led with 71,518 trips decreasing 20.71% from 90,195 following by Pakistan (6,900; -0.72%), Bangladesh (6,034; -9.82%), Sri Lanka (-2.76%), and Nepal (-26.00%).
Africa represented a 17.86% decline from 14,752 to 12,117 visits. The main market South Africa recorded a 33.60% from 7,630 to 5,066.
In addition, the tourism ministry reported international tourists to Thailand at the country’s gateway Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports were down 21.59% from 1,546,794 to 1,212,783 visits in March.
Top 10 source markets January to March 2014
Top 10 source markets March 2014
Thailand’s tourism off the pace
No comments:
Post a Comment