Thailand tourism worries about losing its leading position in Southeast Asia to Vietnam

Thái Lan - Ảnh 1. — Thailand feels pressure to compete for the leading position in Southeast Asia - Photo: QUANG DINH

Mr. Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, president of the Chon Buri Province Tourism Association, said that Vietnam could surpass Thailand in the number of tourists within the next 2-3 years.

In March, Vietnam welcomed more than 2 million international visitors, up 40% over the same period in 2019, while Thailand recorded only 2.7 million, down 20% compared to before the pandemic.

Vietnam also aims to welcome 23 million international visitors this year. Meanwhile, Thailand has had to lower its forecast from 38.5 million to 36.5 million due to many unfavorable factors.

Mr. Thanet said Vietnam is attracting tourists thanks to its low cost of living, new resort and entertainment facilities, competitive prices, especially all-inclusive hotel packages that are only half the price of Thailand.

In addition, Vietnam also supports foreign travel agents by subsidizing flights and reducing airport fees, causing many airlines to shift from Thailand to Vietnam this summer.

In terms of infrastructure, according to Mr. Thanet, airports in Vietnam are designed as international airports and are only about 30-45 minutes drive from main tourist areas, creating favorable conditions for tourists.

Meanwhile, tourists wanting to go to destinations like Hua Hin or Kanchanaburi in Thailand have to travel more than 3 hours from airports in Bangkok.

Mr Thanet warned that if the Thai government does not pursue a more proactive approach to tourism and strengthen safety measures, it will be difficult to achieve the target of welcoming 36.5 million visitors this year.

Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khao San Road Business Association, said the capital Bangkok may see fewer tourists than last year due to a shrinking Chinese market and changing travel trends to emerging destinations such as Vietnam.

Vietnam has many attractions, from nature and beaches to vibrant nightlife, with a famous walking street and nightlife district in Ho Chi Minh City that can compete with Khao San Road, Mr Sanga said.

In an effort to boost tourism, the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) last week proposed to the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the government to request a subsidy worth 320 million baht (about 9.7 million USD) to attract more visitors from China.

ATTA estimates the scheme will generate at least 8.3 billion baht (about $251 million) in revenue, based on an average spending per trip of 55,869 baht (nearly $1,700) from 150,000 Chinese tourists.

ATTA said the plan posed no risk to the government, as it was a joint investment with the private sector, which would cover 80% of the costs. The government could require each flight to carry at least 150 Chinese tourists to receive a 300,000 baht (about $9,000) subsidy.

VNA

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/du-lich-thai-lan-lo-mat-vi-the-dan-dau-dong-nam-a-cho-viet-nam-2025050616113042.htm