Why do international visitors to Thailand always surpass other countries in the region?

5 months welcomed 11 million visitors

Thailand welcomed nearly 11 million international visitors in the first five months of this year. At this rate, Thailand could reach its target of at least 25 million international visitors in 2023, generating 2.38 trillion baht in revenue. The figure will increase to 3.000 trillion baht (equivalent to 87 billion USD) in 2024, the same as the pre-pandemic period in 2019.

Meanwhile, in the first 5 months of the year, Vietnam welcomed 4.6 million international visitors. Last year, Vietnam set a target of 5 million visitors but only received 3.6 million, while the Land of Golden Pagodas welcomed 11 million visitors, exceeding the target.

Not only after the pandemic, from 2019 onwards, international visitors to Thailand have always outstripped Vietnam. The question of why Thai tourism has always been ahead of other countries in the Southeast Asian region, including Vietnam, is often asked.

A group of Vietnamese tourists in traditional Thai costumes take photos in front of Wat Arun temple.

Travel expert Sike Teuberner said that Thailand was one of the first long-haul destinations to be heavily promoted to Westerners in the 1980s as a “strange dream.” Even today, many people who have never set foot in the land of the Golden Temples have certain impressions of Thailand and wish to visit it at least once.

So Thailand has long been on the must-visit Asian wish list for Westerners compared to other destinations.

In addition, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has identified the short-haul market as the main driver of tourism in recent years, accounting for 70% of visitors and 62% of revenue. After the pandemic, the group of 10 largest tourist markets in Thailand includes Malaysia, China, India, Russia, South Korea, Vietnam, the US, the UK, Laos, and Hong Kong.

Southeast Asians don’t just visit Thailand once in their lifetime, unlike many Westerners, says Ms. Teuberner. Those countries can fill the necessary time during the rainy season (when many Westerners avoid it). Flights within Southeast Asia are also cheap.

“I have been in Bangkok for the past few months and I think Westerners come at very specific times, like holidays, whereas you always see a large number of Asian visitors regularly,” she said.

Thailand's Destinations Have Endless, Uninhibited Nightlife

Reasons why Thai tourism surpasses its "neighbors"

As a Southeast Asian country with beautiful beaches and a tropical climate, Thailand attracts Western tourists more thanks to its attractive street food and night markets; its relaxed lifestyle seems to dispel tourists' worries. The exchange rate difference helps tourists spend freely; access to cheap health care services... "Bangkok is also a hub from which you can explore other Southeast Asian countries. Thailand is basically a safe country to travel, even for female solo travelers like me," Ms. Teuberner shared.

Sharing the same view, tourism expert Nguyen Duc Chi, who studied and researched in Thailand, pointed out 8 important reasons why Thailand attracts more international tourists than Vietnam.

First, flexible policies make it easier for visitors to enter the country. In just a few days, Thailand can immediately remove the regulation on Covid-19 vaccination certificates, which is disadvantageous for welcoming Chinese visitors. In fact, within 1-2 weeks, it can change and increase the length of stay for visitors from 30 days to 45 days or 60 days to attract visitors quickly to compete with countries in the region and quickly recover tourism.

Vietnamese tourist groups gather outside Siam Icon shopping mall

Second, respect tourists. Thai tour guides always tell international tourists that when they come to Thailand, the guests will be kings. If there is an accident involving life, health, or property, the tour guide will immediately call the tourist police for assistance. Even in the midst of political turmoil, the yellow-shirt and red-shirt crowds always come together to give way to the tourists.

Third, professional behavior from shopping malls to street vendors. Even if you refuse their sales efforts, they will still smile and politely show you to the door. The way they "force" tourists to spend money is very gentle, for example, after finishing the tour, you can pay 100 baht to get your pre-taken photo or skip it without feeling uncomfortable.

Fourth, extensive promotion. Every year, the Thai government spends 86 million USD to promote the image of Thailand in the world. It can be seen that major tourism fairs held in Vietnam always have the presence of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Thailand has 29 offices in 3 major continents, including 18 representative offices in Asia, 8 offices in Europe and 3 in North America.

Fifth, the tourism product is complete. Sightseeing, entertainment, shopping, dining, etc. are rich and diverse. Although the tourism services are not world-class, they are organized very professionally and systematically. In addition, the infrastructure system, airports, bridges, roads, transportation, and parking lots are good and capable of receiving a large number of international visitors.

Suvarnabhumi Airport's high international connectivity makes Bangkok a regional air transport hub

Sixth, the price level of many services is low, the cost of traveling to Thailand can be said to be competitive with Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines and more economical than Singapore, Malaysia. Many 4-5 star hotels but the price is only about 2-3 stars thanks to operating at maximum capacity...

Seventh, optimize service prices thanks to the perfect connection between tourism service providers in the tour program. The motto of Thailand tourism is to attract as many visitors as possible, how to make tourists spend money is a matter of concern later. The 5-day, 4-night Thailand package tour from Ho Chi Minh City is currently selling for the lowest price of 5.5 million VND while a round-trip airfare from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok is approximately 5 million VND.

And finally, Thailand has a wide variety of entertainment options, especially a vibrant, relaxed nightlife that seems to have no limits.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/vi-sao-khach-quoc-te-den-thai-lan-luon-bo-xa-cac-nuoc-dong-nam-a-185230306101314976.htm