The Tourism and Sports Minister has ordered linked agencies to prepare for Thailand’s aim goal of hosting 80 million tourists by 2027, urging each unit to minimize congestion at tourist destinations to safeguard foreign travelers’ safety.
Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn emphasized the necessity of Thailand avoiding repeating the situation of 2019, when tourist spots were congested owing to poor preparations for the arrival of 40 million foreign tourists. With Thailand anticipating 25-30 million international tourists this year, the minister emphasized that associated ministries must collaborate to tackle the challenge of welcome more tourists in the future.
The Tourism and Sports Ministry also wants to seek Cabinet permission to boost Thailand’s recovery through a tourism strategy customized to the tourist industry.
The national plan, which will be in place until 2027, is divided into three major goals. The first, which will take place from 2023 to 2024, will focus on readiness and will address existing challenges pertaining to safety, security, and environmental concerns. The second goal, which will be carried out from 2023 to 2025, is to improve the quality of tourism. The third goal, which will last from 2023 to 2027, is using bio-, circular, and green economic concepts to improve the well-being of local citizens and stakeholders participating in the tourism supply chain.
The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) expects the tourist industry to contribute 25% of GDP by 2027, up from 17.8% in 2019, creating a minimum of 6 trillion baht. The agency has also set a goal of welcome 80 million tourists, which the minister described as one of the ministry’s most difficult jobs.