Thai and foreign tourists up during Songkran

• Up to 506,136 foreigners visited Thailand during Songkran, generating THB24.7bn in tourism income, up 6.2% and 16% y/y respectively, says the Tourism and Sports Ministry.
• The festival, which ran 12-16 Apr 18, spurred as many as 3.1 million trips by local people that helped contribute THB10.4bn in tourism income, up 12.4% and 20.5% from 2017’s holiday, according to Pongpanu Svetarundra, permanent secretary of the ministry.
• Total income from foreigners and local people was 35.1 billion, up 12.1% on a y/y basis, Mr Pongpanu said.
• For domestic trips, 1.94 million were made to major cities, with travellers spending THB8bn, up 14.9% and 21.4% respectively y/y.
• Some 1.16 million trips were to secondary provinces, with THB2.4bn in tourism expenditure, up 8.4% and 17% respectively.
• The ministry said an increase was also noted in average spending per person per trip by foreigners.
• Major origination markets for foreign tourists included Southeast Asia countries and China.
• Meanwhile, Airbnb said its hosts in Thailand earned more than THB165mn during Songkran, a 20% increase compared with the typical week in 2017.
• According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, the travel industry supports 313 million jobs and generates 10% of the world’s GDP.

External Link : https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/tourism-and-transport/1448210/thai-and-foreign-tourists-up-during-songkran