Thailand is likely to miss its goal of hosting 30 million foreign tourists thi year amid fewer-than-expected visitors from China, according to RHB Bank Bhd.
Inbound arrivals from China to Thailand could drop slightly below 5 million, way below the 7 million expected by the government, RHB Bank Senior Economist Barnabas Gan wrote in a note. The possibility of China’s economic activity slowing in the second half of this year will crimp demand for outbound tourism, he noted.
READ: Chinese Tourist Arrivals in Thailand This Year Reach 1 Million
Foreign travelers entering Thailand reached 12.5 million from Jan. 1 to June 25, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Overall tourist arrivals to Thailand have topped 2 million every month between December and May.
As a result, Thailand’s annual foreign tourist arrivals will be between 26 to 28 million in 2023, according to RHB. That will still be twice last year’s tally of 11.2 million.
Thailand welcomed about 40 million tourists before the pandemic in 2019, with Chinese tourists making about a quarter of the total visitors.
“We expect full-year tourism arrivals to disappoint official estimates,” Gan wrote. “Thailand’s tourism prognosis remains at best, neutral, given the recent slowdown in inbound tourism momentum.”
He also cited rising tourism-led competition from neighboring countries and exacerbated domestic political noise as additional factors affecting Thailand’s tourism recovery outlook going forward.
The bearish outlook for inbound Chinese visitors is also echoed by the Thai travel agent operators. The tally is seen below 5 million on visa issues and safety concerns, according to the Association of Thai Travel Agents.
Media reports about tourist extortions and safety have dented confidence among Chinese travelers, according to association President Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn. The government needs to push for more arrivals between July and September to drive up tourism recovery, said Sisdivachr.
(Updates with travel agent’s comments on the 8th and 9th paragraph.)
