Thailand welcomed more than 35 million tourists in 2024
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- Jan 3
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 28
Thailand celebrated a record-breaking year in 2024, welcoming over 35.32 million international tourists.
This influx generated an impressive 1.66 trillion baht in revenue, highlighting the nation’s resurgence as a premier travel destination. This is reported by the Bangkok Post newspaper.
Chinese travelers topped the list with 6.7 million arrivals, followed by visitors from Malaysia, India, South Korea, and Russia.
Domestic tourism also flourished, with Thai residents making 197.53 million trips. The bustling tourism scene saw the highest weekly arrival rates since 2020, fueled by Thailand's iconic beaches, rich culture, and diverse attractions.
Thailand's tourism industry has experienced significant fluctuations over the past decade, influenced by global events and domestic developments.
Pre-Pandemic Growth (2014-2019)
Between 2014 and 2019, Thailand saw a consistent rise in international tourist arrivals:
2014: Approximately 24.8 million visitors.
2015: Around 29.9 million visitors.
2016: About 32.5 million visitors.
2017: Nearly 35.4 million visitors.
2018: Approximately 38.2 million visitors.
2019: A record 39.92 million visitors, marking the peak before the pandemic.
Impact of COVID-19 (2020-2021)
The global pandemic led to unprecedented declines:
2020: Tourist arrivals plummeted by 83.21% to about 6.7 million visitors.
2021: Numbers further dwindled, with only 13,043 arrivals recorded.
Recovery phase (2022-2024)
With the easing of travel restrictions, Thailand's tourism sector began to rebound:
2022: Approximately 11 million visitors, signaling initial recovery efforts.
2023: A significant increase to around 28.15 million arrivals, reflecting renewed global travel confidence.
2024: The country welcomed over 35.32 million international tourists, generating 1.66 trillion baht in revenue.
Visitor demographics in 2024
The top contributing countries were:
China: 6.7 million visitors.
Malaysia, India, South Korea, and Russia also featured prominently.
Domestic tourism
Thai residents made 197.53 million trips in 2024, underscoring the importance of domestic travel in bolstering the economy.
Indicates a strong recovery
Thailand's tourism industry has demonstrated resilience, rebounding from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The data from 2024 indicates a strong recovery trajectory, with both international and domestic tourism contributing significantly to the nation's economy.
