Thailand expected to welcome nearly 30m int'l tourists this year

BANGKOK, June 25 (TNA) - The number of international tourist arrivals in Thailand is expected to reach 28.8 million at the end of this year, earning the Kingdom 2.2 trillion baht tourism-related revenues, as officially-targeted. Thai Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul made the projection on Thursday, reiterating that the domestic tourism should not be affected by concerns over the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Kobkarn told a press conference that her ministry has worked closely with the Ministry of Public Health to control the deadly virus, including strict inspections at areas at risk, namely airports, which have resulted in no cancellation of visits to Thailand and hotel bookings by international tourists. Official statistics showed that about 1.71 million tourists visited Thailand from June 1-23, 2015, up 53.5 per cent year-on year, earning the country's approximately 77 billion baht tourism-related revenues, an increase by about 57 per cent year-on-year, with Chinese travellers remaining the most visitors to Thailand during the period, followed by Malaysians. It is estimated that the number of international tourist arrivals in Thailand throughout this month should grow by 53–55 per cent year-on-year. The minister noted she was informed by the private sector at Wednesday's meeting that bookings at Thai tourist destinations have not been cancelled during the next two-three months. Also on Wednesday, Deputy Government Spokesman Major General Sansern Kaewkamnerd told journalists that more than 14 million international tourists have visited Thailand during the first half of this year, a 27.39 per cent year-on-year increasee, earning the Kingdom over 660 billion baht-tourism-related revenues. According to the deputy government spokesman, the Thai toursim has not been affected by concerns over MERS-CoV. (TNA)