Thailand Tourism Recovering After Floods

Thailand is stepping up tourism campaigns in the aftermath of the recent severe floods to restore tourist confidence, especially during the high season. The ancient city of Ayutthaya, which is one of Thailand’s major tourist destinations, is undergoing rehabilitation to ensure that the city is ready to welcome back visitors following the flood crisis. All transportation is operating normally and most services and activities for tourists are available as usual. As for historical sites damaged by floods, the Cabinet has approved a budget to restore them.

In the first half of this year, the number of Thais traveling in the country rose by 11.8 percent over the same period of last year. Following the flood crisis in the second half of 2011, the number of local tourists is likely to drop by 5 percent.

As for foreign visitors, the number for 2011 is estimated at 18.4 million, a decline from the original projection of 19.5 million. The markets that have been most affected include Europe, America, and Asia, especially China, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

Tourist arrivals in Thailand next year are expected to reach 19.55 million, bringing in 766 billion baht in tourism income. The Tourism Authority of Thailand believes that from the year-end holiday period until March 2012, the second half of the high season, the tourism sector will have recovered.