THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Tourism faces Bt1.78-trillion slump in revenue in 2020

Tourism faces Bt1.78-trillion slump in revenue in 2020

Tourism revenue saw a steep plunge during the first five months of this year, down Bt752 billion year on year while the number of tourists dropped by more than 10 million people compared to the same period of 2019, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports said.

The ministry expects tourism revenue this year to drop by Bt1.78 trillion compared to 2019.
Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said that after the government announced the state of emergency to contain the spread of Covid-19 on March 26, no foreign tourists had come to Thailand, adding the state of emergency would be effective until June 30.
"During the first five months of this year, the number of foreign tourists visiting Thailand was 6.69 million, down 10.02 million, or 59.97 per cent year on year, while the revenue from foreign tourists was Bt332 billion, down Bt489 billion or 59.57 per cent year on year," he said.
"Meanwhile, the number of Thai tourists was 40.15 million, down 55.88 million or 58.19 per cent year on year, while the revenue from Thai tourists was Bt191 billion, down Bt263 billion or 57.86 per cent year on year."
He expected tourism revenue this year to amount to Bt1.23 trillion, down Bt1.78 trillion or 60 per cent year on year.
"Tourism revenue in the previous year was Bt3.01 trillion, of which Bt1.93 trillion came from 39.79 million foreign tourists and Bt1.08 trillion came from 166.84 million Thai tourists," he said.
He said that there was some positive sentiment from the government's move to allow department stores, restaurants, and stores to reopen, as well as allowing people to travel across provinces.
"Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, Thai Vietjet Air, and Bangkok Airways are operating on many routes," he said. "Meanwhile, the State Railway of Thailand is operating 84 routes across the province."
He added that in May alone, the number of Thai tourists was 570,000, down 97 per cent year on year, but better than the previous month when it dropped by 99.32 per cent.

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