Thai newspaper worries that domestic tourism industry will be surpassed by Vietnam - Lang Son Newspaper and Radio and Television

Thailand's tourism is struggling with sluggish growth in the first quarter of 2025, the Bangkok Post reported.

Mr. Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, president of the Chon Buri Tourism Association, said that it might only take 2-3 years for Vietnam to attract more foreign tourists than Thailand.

Vietnam aims to welcome 23 million international visitors this year, while Thailand’s Ministry of Finance has cut its forecast for international arrivals from 38.5 million to 36.5 million. Thailand recorded 2.7 million tourist arrivals in March, down 20% from 2019 levels. Meanwhile, Vietnam recorded more than 2 million tourist arrivals in the same month, up 40% from 2019 (before the COVID-19 pandemic).

Tourists walk on the Pathumwan intersection overpass, Bangkok. (Photo: Bangkok post)

Mr Thanet said the cost of living in Vietnam is lower than in Thailand. Family resorts and theme parks in Vietnam are also newer and cheaper than similar products in Thailand, while all-inclusive hotel packages in Vietnam are half the price in Thailand.

Vietnam has also supported foreign travel companies, such as those from Russia, by subsidizing airfares and reducing airport fees, according to Mr. Thanet. This has prompted travel companies to shift their tours to cities like Nha Trang instead of Phuket this summer.

Mr Thanet said foreign travel companies said many airports in major cities in Vietnam were designed with international routes, making it easy for them to open new routes abroad. These airports are only about 30-45 minutes by car from tourist areas.

In contrast, if visitors want to go to Hua Hin or Kanchanaburi, it takes them more than 3 hours by car from the airports in Bangkok.

“We are living on old values without developing new infrastructure and destinations to attract tourists,” he said.

Mr Thanet warned that if the government does not implement a more proactive tourism policy and strengthen safety measures, it will be difficult to achieve the target of 36.5 million visitors.

Sanga Ruangwattanakul, chairman of the Khao San Road Business Association, said Bangkok could see lower visitor numbers than last year due to a slowdown in the Chinese market and international visitors shifting to emerging destinations such as Vietnam.

Vietnam has a diverse range of attractions, from nature, beaches to vibrant nightlife, with prominent walking streets and nightlife areas in Ho Chi Minh City that can compete with Khao San Road, he said.

Last week, the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta) submitted a proposal to the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the government, requesting a 320 million baht ($9.7 million) support package to boost Chinese visitors. Atta estimated that the plan could generate at least 8.3 billion baht in revenue, based on an average spending of 55,869 baht per trip by 150,000 Chinese tourists.

Atta said the program is risk-free for the government because it is a joint investment with the private sector, with the private sector covering 80% of the cost. The government may require each flight to carry at least 150 Chinese passengers to receive the 300,000 baht subsidy.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/bao-thai-lan-lo-ngai-nganh-du-lich-trong-nuoc-bi-viet-nam-vuot-mat-5046249.html