Thailand recorded 17.5 mn foreign tourists in H1, up 35% YoY: Govt

The government has rolled out multiple measures to draw more foreign visitors, including relaxing visa restrictions for remote workers and extending visa-free stays.

Thailand recorded 17.5 million foreign tourists in the first six months of 2024, the tourism ministry said Tuesday, up 35% from the same period a year earlier.

Foreign arrivals generated revenue of 825 billion baht ($22.42 billion), data showed, with China, Malaysia and India comprising the largest source markets.

The tourism sector is a crucial driver and a rare bright spot in Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, which faces slowing exports and high household debt.

The economy grew 1.5% annually in the first quarter this year, down from 1.7% in the prior quarter.

In pre-pandemic 2019, Thailand registered a record 39.9 million arrivals, generating 1.91 trillion baht.

The government has rolled out multiple measures to draw more foreign visitors, including relaxing visa restrictions for remote workers and extending visa-free stays.

Earlier this year, the government permanently dropped visa requirements for Chinese tourists, after waiving visas for Indian citizens visiting the country in 2023.

($1 = 36.8000 baht)

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