Tourism in Thailand

Wat Arun, Bangkok is among the best known of Thailand's landmarks.
Number of international tourists

Tourism is an economic contributor to the Kingdom of Thailand. Estimates of tourism revenue directly contributing to the GDP of 12 trillion baht range from one trillion baht (2013) 2.53 trillion baht (2016), the equivalent of 9% to 17.7% of GDP.[1][2] When including indirect travel and tourism receipts, the 2014 total is estimated to be the equivalent of 19.3% (2.3 trillion baht) of Thailand's GDP.[3]: 1  According to the secretary-general of the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council in 2019, projections indicate the tourism sector will account for 30% of GDP by 2030, up from 20% in 2019, Thailand expects to receive 80 million visitors in 2027. [4]

Tourism worldwide in 2017 accounted for 10.4% of global GDP and 313 million jobs, or 9.9% of total employment.[5]: 1  Most governments view tourism as an easy moneymaker and a shortcut to economic development. Tourism success is measured by the number of visitors.[6]

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand was ranked the world’s eighth most visited country by World Tourism rankings compiled by the United Nations World Tourism Organization. In 2019, Thailand received 39.8 million international tourists, ahead of United Kingdom and Germany.[7] and received fourth highest international tourism earning at 60.5 billion US dollar.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), a state enterprise under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, uses the slogan "Amazing Thailand" to promote Thailand internationally.[8] In 2015, this was supplemented by a "Discover Thainess" campaign.[9]

  1. ^ Theparat, Chatrudee (17 February 2017). "Tourism to continue growth spurt in 2017". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  2. ^ "Government moves to head off tourist fears". Bangkok Post. 24 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  3. ^ Turner, Rochelle (2015). Travel & Tourism, Economic Impact 2015, Thailand (PDF). London: World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  4. ^ Theparat, Chatrudee (19 September 2019). "Prayut: Zones vital for growth". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  5. ^ Global Travel & Tourism Economic Impact World 2018 (PDF). London: World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). March 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  6. ^ Becker, Elizabeth (2 December 2017). "Only governments can stem the tide of tourism sweeping the globe". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  7. ^ "UNWTO World Tourism Barometer and Statistical Annex, December 2020 | World Tourism Organization". UNWTO World Tourism Barometer (English Version). 18 (7): 1–36. 18 December 2020. doi:10.18111/wtobarometereng.2020.18.1.7. S2CID 241989515.
  8. ^ Battle, Velma (5 May 2022). "Quick View Into Thailand Tourism And The Thailand Tourism Organization".
  9. ^ "History". TATnews.org. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). 2015. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2015.