"Thailand Tourism Rebounds, Attracts Over 35 Million Visitors in 2024"

    Thailand's tourism sector has made a strong comeback, drawing over 35 million international visitors in 2024, surpassing the country's original goal. This surge in tourism is seen as a crucial step in revitalizing the nation's economy, which has been recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving travel trends.

    Tourism remains a vital part of Thailand’s economy, contributing nearly 20% to the nation’s GDP. The sector was hit hard during the pandemic, but the country has steadily bounced back. The total number of visitors in 2024 nearly reached the 2019 pre-pandemic level, with just four million fewer arrivals.
China has once again become the largest source of tourists, with over six million visitors in 2024, followed by Malaysia and India. Tourists flocked to Thailand's famous beaches and historic temples, contributing a significant boost to the economy. In fact, tourist spending generated over 1.6 trillion baht (approximately $46 billion) in 2024.

    To further promote tourism, the Thai government, under former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, introduced several initiatives, including a free visa program for visitors from China and India. Thanks to these efforts, Thailand has set a new target of 39 million visitors for 2025.
The World Bank predicts that the country will surpass pre-pandemic tourism levels by next year, although spending per tourist is expected to remain lower than in previous years.

Link Source: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/travel/931978/thailand-tourism-bounces-back-with-35-million-visitors-in-2024/story/