Thailand welcomed a record 38.27 million tourists in 2018, up 7.5 percent from the previous year. (Photo: VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand welcomed a record 38.27 million tourists in 2018, up 7.5 percent from the previous year, the Thai Tourism Ministry said on January 28.
Tourist arrivals in December alone were 3.85 million.
The ministry expects the number of tourists in 2019 to rise by 7.5 percent. Also, it forecasts that some 41.1 million tourists will spend 2.21 trillion THB (70 billion USD) this year, and the number of travellers from China - Thailand’s biggest source of visitors is projected to increase 11 percent to 11.69 million.
Revenue from the non-smoke industry contributes about 12 percent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
The Thai Government has approved the extension of the visa-on-arrival fee waiver for citizens of 20 countries until April 30 instead of January 13 to promote tourism and enhance the nation’s attractiveness among foreign visitors during the high travel season.-VNA
VNA
