The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), together with related state agencies and private-sector organisations, has issued a forecast of 14 million foreign arrivals into Thailand in 2009, according to a Bangkok Post report. The visitors are expected to generate approximately THB505 billion (US$14.6 billion) in revenue.
These figures are reportedly based on the condition that all agencies work together to fully support the industry, and that the country’s political conflicts being resolved without further serious incident, according to TAT Chairman, and former Thai Minister for Tourism & Sport, Weerasak Kohsurat.
This collaborative forecast is part of an ambitious plan to restore the sector, which suffered last year, particularly from the forced closure of two Bangkok international airports. Weerasak said the figures were challenging, given the world situation.
“Growth in foreign visitors to Thailand continued over the first nine months of 2008,” he was reported saying. “Without the political chaos, foreign visitors probably would have met the target of 15.4 million in 2008.”
Foreign tourist arrivals via Suvarnabhumi airport have started recovering, with the numbers for the month up to 25 January only marginally lower than in the same period last year, the report added.
According to the TAT’s final report, foreign visitors last year totalled 14.2 million, down 1.5% from 2007. Revenue fell 2.9% to THB532 billion baht.
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