TAT defends target of 20mn tourists for 2023
THE TOURISM AUTHORity of Thailand (TAT) has said
it expects around 20 million tourist arrivals in 2023, in line
with the government’s plans to revitalise the tourism sector following the relaxation of travel regulations.
TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn stated that attracting
20mn tourists to Thailand by 2023 is a realistic goal, given that the tourism industry is expected to grow this year as a result of Thailand’s and other countries’ relaxation of travel restrictions.
The target is also consistent with Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s forecast of 20mn tourist arrivals next year if COVID-19 is declared endemic and no other threats to the tourism industry exist, he said.
Positive indications were reported this week as the coun
try welcomed 19,727 tourists on May 1, followed by 15,439 tourists and 14,108 tourists on
May 2 and 3, respectively. The
number has increased from around 10,000-12,000 daily arrivals last month, reported state news agency NNT.
Thailand had welcomed 853,165 tourists as of May 3 from the United Kingdom,
Germany, Russia, India, and the United States. As of May 3,
172,545 people had registered for the new Thailand Pass, which was launched on April 29, noted NNT.
However, statistics of the number of international arrivals as reported by Phuket Immigration at Phuket airport
showed an average of only 2,089 arrivals each day from May 1-9.
The TAT governor stated that the first critical step is to attract 7-10mn tourists this year in order to maintain the momentum and increase to 20mn next year. He hopes for tourism revenue to reach around B2.4 trillion in 2023 in
order to revitalise the tourism industry.