Tourism alert in Thailand: beaches half empty, hotels half empty!

Tourism alert in Thailand: beaches half empty, hotels half empty!

Thailand's tourism is in a deep crisis, which is reflected in a significant decline in the number of visitors. In particular, popular holiday regions such as Chiang Mai are seeing a sharp increase in half-empty hotels and half-full beaches. The decline is all the more drastic because Thailand's tourism traditionally makes a significant contribution to the country's economic growth.

Thailand welcomed 35.5 million travelers in 2024, boosting hopes of a rapid recovery from Covid-19 restrictions. For 2025, however, a decline of 6.5 percent is expected compared to the previous year. The target number of visitors of 40 million per year therefore seems unrealistic. This information is provided by nd-current underpinned.

Causes of the decline

The decline in tourists is often attributed in the media to security concerns. Khun Charlie Golf, a freelance driver in Chiang Mai, reports fewer Western individual tourists and a decline in Chinese package tourists. Concerns about kidnapping and human trafficking in Thailand have significantly dented China's trust in the country.

Another critical factor is political instability. The dismissal of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra increases insecurity in the country. The newly elected Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul faces the challenge of stabilizing the political situation and promoting tourism. Against this background, the question arises as to how Thailand can redefine its position in global tourism.

Economic challenges

The tourism sector contributes about 11 to 15-20 percent of Thailand's gross domestic product and employs around 6 million Thais. The decline in visitor numbers is negatively impacting businesses in the hospitality and related services sectors. A look at the numbers shows that the number of foreign tourists fell by 7.16% by the end of August 2023 compared to 2022. During this period, Thailand welcomed 21.9 million international visitors, with China being the largest source with 3.1 million tourists thailand tip reported.

The Thai government is trying to stimulate tourism with a series of short-term measures. These include a co-payment program and free domestic airline tickets for international tourists. The tourism authority also plans to focus on wealthy tourists from Europe and the Middle East. Experts, however, criticize the lack of a long-term plan for structural reforms in the tourism sector.

Future perspectives

To increase Thailand's attractiveness as a travel destination, the industry is exploring new strategies and innovations. A growing interest in medical and wellness tourism could help attract new visitors. The affordable and high-quality healthcare services in Thailand have the potential to become a promising segment.

Although the industry is under pressure, industry representatives remain cautiously optimistic for the end of the year. It is clear that measures to restore confidence and attract tourists must continue to strengthen Thailand's economic foundations and secure its place in the global tourism sector.