Lower Russian tourist figures as result of FIFA World Cup 2018

BANGKOK, June 19 (TNA) -- The tourism industry has seen a significant drop in European tourists and in particular those from Russia as a consequence of the FIFA World Cup 2018. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Of Tourism and Sports, Phongpanu Svetarundra revealed that May's tourism figures recorded 2.75 million foreign tourists and of these 2.04 million were from East Asian countries followed by South Asia, America-Oceania and the Middle East. European tourists and especially those from Russia fell off dramatically following the commencement of FIFA World Cup which Russia is hosting. As such tourist growth figures grew by only 6.35% compared to the same period last year. Expectations are that these will pick up after the conclusion of FIFA World Cup 2018. Tourist figures for the first five months of this year, however, recorded 16.45 million visitors contributing to 867 billion baht in tourist revenues. April, in particular, enjoyed a healthy growth of 14.41 million tourists which represents a 5.34% rise contributing to 9.77% increase in tourist revenues of 89 billion baht compared to the same period last year. (TNA)