Thailand experienced a 26% rise in foreign tourist arrivals last year, driven by eased entry restrictions and a visa waiver for Chinese nationals, the country’s largest tourist demographic.
Provisional data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports reveals that 35.5 million international visitors arrived in 2024, an increase from 28.2 million the previous year. These tourists spent an estimated 1.67 trillion baht ($48 billion), marking a 34% growth in revenue compared to 2023, according to reports from local media.
Although the figures fell slightly short of the ministry’s target of 36.7 million arrivals, they were in line with the Bank of Thailand’s forecast of 36 million. Thailand’s tourism industry remains on a path to recovery after setting a pre-pandemic record in 2019 with nearly 40 million visitors and $60 billion in revenue.
Officials anticipate the upward trend will continue in 2025, fueled by relaxed visa requirements for several countries and initiatives encouraging longer tourist stays. The upcoming third season of the popular television series The White Lotus, which highlights Thailand’s luxury hospitality, is also expected to boost interest in the destination. Additionally, the legalisation of same-sex marriage is seen as a significant draw for LGBTQ travelers.
The government projects 2025 tourist arrivals to hit 40 million, complemented by an estimated 200 million domestic trips, potentially generating 2.8 trillion baht in tourism revenue. This sector accounts for approximately 12% of Thailand’s gross domestic product, with some estimates placing its contribution as high as 20%, and supports nearly one-fifth of the country’s workforce.
Chinese visitors comprised 6.7 million of last year’s arrivals, about 60% of the 2019 peak of 11.1 million. A permanent visa waiver agreement between China and Thailand, implemented last year, is aimed at bolstering cross-border travel further.
Tourists from other key markets, including Europe, India, and Russia, have already surpassed pre-pandemic arrival numbers, underscoring Thailand’s resurgence as a global travel hub.
