Categories: Economy

Thailand trying to woo more Indian tourists as Chinese visitors dip due to Covid

<p>
<strong>Amid the dwindling number of Chinese tourists, Thailand is looking at Indians to boost its all important tourism sector that has been ravaged by the Covid pandemic. Chinese travellers made up for 30 per cent of the total inbound tourist arrivals in the pre-pandemic years. The Chinese travellers, still reeling under restrictions, are unlikely to return on the world tourism map anytime soon.</strong></p>
<p>
According to <a href="https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/thailand-tourism-india-the-number-1-country-sending-tourists">the Thaiger</a>, Thailand’s local news organisation, Bangkok believes that tourism in Thailand, as well as local economies, "can and will be lifted on the backs of these Indian tourists.”</p>
<p>
Luring tourists from India has become a primary focus are the Thai government in hopes of making up ground for the approximately 13 million Chinese tourists that visited Thailand yearly in the pre-pandemic years, the news organisation said.</p>
<p>
The tourism sector is of critical importance for Thailand. It created 36 million jobs between 2014 and 2019, the study said.</p>
<p>
Until July 6, a total of 249,466 Indian travellers entered Thailand. That equates to 11.27 per cent of the 2,214,132 people who have come to Thailand so far this year, the Thaiger report revealed.</p>
<p>
However, a tour operator said that Indians are refraining from going to Bangkok. Phuket, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai among others continue to remain their favourite holiday destinations.</p>
<p>
Prior to the pandemic, China with a population of 1.4 billion, was one of the main drivers of the global tourism industry, estimated at $ 5.81 trillion.</p>
<p>
Besides China, countries including the US, UK, Germany and Australia too had a large number of outbound tourists. But with the energy crisis, the number of outbound tourists from Europe is set to be significantly less.</p>
<p>
The tourism industry has a multiplier effect as it directly impacts other sectors such as hospitality, transport, micro, small and medium enterprises, among others.</p>
<p>
Prior to the pandemic, the travel industry – direct and indirect accounted for 1 in 4 of all new jobs created across the globe, a report by World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) revealed.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/india-news/what-you-need-to-know-about-india-s-international-blue-flag-beaches-185379.html">What you need to know about India's 10 International Blue Flag beaches</a></strong></p>

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

“Will negotiate a fair balance,” Piyush Goyal optimistic of wrapping up FTA with EU by year end

By Shailesh Yadav Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal expressed optimism that India could finalise…

7 minutes ago

“Hit bases deep inside Pakistan, penetrated their defences,” CDS Gen Anil Chauhan on success of Op Sindoor

India decisively asserted its military superiority over Pakistan during this month's brief but intense conflict,…

2 days ago

PoGB: GB protesters block Karakoram Highway amid Khunjerab trade halt

Trade associations and local business groups in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) launched an indefinite protest on…

2 days ago

Bangladesh minority group condemns the attacks on minority areas

A human chain and protest march was organized by various organizations in front of the…

2 days ago

“Expanding our security partnerships with India”: US Defence Secy Hegseth; bats for enhancing QUAD cooperation

The United States on Saturday announced the expansion of its security partnerships with India through…

2 days ago

India self-reliant during Op Sindoor; Pak leveraging Chinese sources: CDS Gen Anil Chauhan

Highlighting the use of indigenous platforms during Operation Sindoor, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General…

2 days ago