The ASEAN market still has the highest market share of all visitors to Thailand. International visitor arrivals to Thailand, excluding overseas Thais, totalled 15.84 million in 2010, of whom 4.41 million visitors were from ASEAN countries or a market share of about 27.9%. Malaysia topped the list with 1.96 million arrivals (+11.65%), followed by Lao PDR. 689,000 (+5.29%) and Singapore 579,000 (+2.76%). We are naturally very pleased to see this strong growth in intra-regional travel, which has always been a major policy platform of the ASEAN countries.

Other markets that showed growth during the period include Cambodia (+45.58%), Indonesia (+24.06%), Myanmar (+17.48%), the Philippines (+19.90%), and Vietnam (+10.51%) except Brunei that showed a decline by 21%. Travel to Thailand from ASEAN countries is growing at record levels, thanks to visa-free policies, strong marketing campaigns and increased low-cost airline linkages between the various new and emerging destinations. The increase was facilitated largely by the emergence of a number of low-cost carriers, making air travel more affordable and convenient than ever.

Improved quality of transportation infrastructure has also significantly boosted overland crossings between Thailand and its neighbours especially Malaysia, Lao PDR. and Cambodia. In addition, the borders see a daily stream of overland visitors from Singapore, Korea, Japan, the UK, USA, France, Germany, and Australia.

TAT is still tabulating the profile of the arrivals for 2010 but the stats for 2009 will provide some interesting snapshots. For example:

The vast majority of ASEAN visitors (81%, or 3.3 million) are repeat visitors. In 2009, the number of repeat visitors was up 2.9%. Independent travellers comprised 80% (3.2 million) of the total. They were up 17.76% over 2008. Although holiday travellers comprised the bulk (35%) of the total ASEAN arrivals in 2009, there was a significant increase of 38.1% of those coming for meetings, and a 9.8% increase in incentive travellers. The average annual growth rate of ASEAN visitors during 1987 – 2009 was 6.08%.

Based on an average daily expenditure per person of 3,937 Baht, and average length of stay of 5 days, ASEAN visitors generated tourism revenue of 82.624 billion Baht in 2009.

ASEAN Visitor Arrivals to Thailand in 2010 and 2009

Source: Immigration Bureau, Police Department

Note: Primary Data, Tourist Arrivals excluded Overseas Thai