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Tourism Slows; Foreign Tourist Target Drops to 30 Million, Revenue Target 1.3 Trillion Baht

Tourism Slows; Foreign Tourist Target Drops to 30 Million, Revenue Target 1.3 Trillion Baht

Khaosod•Economy•9d ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand's tourism sector faces a potential downturn in 2025, with foreign tourist numbers revised downwards but revenue still projected to reach 1.3 trillion baht.

  • •The Ministry of Tourism and Sports expects foreign tourist arrivals in 2026 to be between 30.07 and 33.20 million, down from an earlier projection of 36.7 million.
  • •Projected revenue for 2026 is estimated to be between 1.36 and 1.51 trillion baht.
  • •Geopolitical events in the Middle East are a significant factor impacting energy costs, inflation, and global economic growth, affecting tourism competitiveness.

Overview

  • •On May 5, 2026, the Minister of Tourism and Sports provided an update on the tourism outlook for the year.
  • •The Minister of Tourism and Sports stated that the foreign tourist target for 2026 has been revised downwards.
  • •The projected number of foreign tourists for 2026 is now between 30.07 to 33.20 million, a reduction from the initial 36.7 million target.
  • •Total revenue from tourism in 2026 is anticipated to be between 1.36 to 1.51 trillion baht.
  • •The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is identified as a factor increasing energy, food, and transportation costs, impacting global inflation and economic growth.
  • •Increased competition in the tourism market, including airline fuel surcharges and route reductions, poses challenges.
  • •Three scenarios have been developed to assess international tourism performance by the end of 2026.
  • •From January 1 to May 3, 2026, Thailand welcomed 11,966,391 foreign tourists, generating approximately 584,409 million baht in revenue.

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Key Quotes

Surasak Phanth-ngroerawongul
"Three scenarios have been prepared to assess international tourism, with targets by the end of 2026."
จัดทำฉากทัศน์ไว้ 3 ฉากทัศน์ เพื่อประเมินภาพการท่องเที่ยวระหว่างประเทศ เป้าหมาย ณ สิ้นสุดปี 2026

Key Entities

Person

Surasak Phanth-ngroerawongul(นายสุรศักดิ์ พันธ์เจริญวรกุล)
Minister of Tourism and Sports who released the tourism outlook for 2026.

Organization

Ministry of Tourism and Sports(กระทรวงการท่องเที่ยวและกีฬา)
The government ministry responsible for tourism and sports in Thailand.

Place

United States(สหรัฐ)ℹ️
A nation involved in the Middle East conflict, impacting global energy prices and tourism.
Iran(อิหร่าน)ℹ️
A nation involved in the Middle East conflict, impacting global energy prices and tourism.
Israel(อิสราเอล)ℹ️
A nation involved in the Middle East conflict, impacting global energy prices and tourism.
China(จีน)ℹ️
The top source country for foreign tourists in Thailand as of May 3, 2026.
Malaysia(มาเลเซีย)ℹ️
The second-highest source country for foreign tourists in Thailand as of May 3, 2026, and a strong performing short-haul market.
Russia(รัสเซีย)ℹ️
The third-highest source country for foreign tourists in Thailand as of May 3, 2026.
India(อินเดีย)ℹ️
The fourth-highest source country for foreign tourists in Thailand as of May 3, 2026.
South Korea(เกาหลีใต้)ℹ️
The fifth-highest source country for foreign tourists in Thailand as of May 3, 2026.
Japan(ญี่ปุ่น)ℹ️
A short-haul market showing significant growth, rising to the fourth-highest inbound tourist group during Golden Week.