Russians spend near $2 billion in Thailand in 2015

BANGKOK, February 9. /TASS/. Russian tourists spent near $2 billion in Thailand in 2015, Vladimir Sosnov, the chief of the consulate department at the Russian embassy in Bangkok told TASS on Tuesday. "Thailand’s Sports and Tourism Ministry sent us statistic report on how Russians spend their holidays in Thailand," the diplomat said, adding that major spending is connected with hotels, food and shopping. Last year figures show the major spending of Russians in Thailand is payment for living, which is some 29 percent. Similar percentage is counted for food and shopping, 23 percent for both activities. Transport and entertainment each equaled to 10 percent of the whole budget. Shopping in Thailand costed Russians near $443 million, sightseeing some $77 million and entertainment spending was $196 million. "Russia ranks second after the UK among European countries’ nationals spending their vacations in Thailand," Sosnov said, adding that Russia is ninth among all countries. "If comparing the spending, Chinese, Malaysian and UK nationals top the rank, followed by Russia in fourth place." "Approximately $130 each Russian national spent in Thailand per day," he said, adding that the average length of holidays is 17 days. Last year Thailand’s tourism sphere, which comprises 10 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, faced significant growth. A total amount of foreign tourists reached record-breaking 29.8 million people, which is 20 percent increase according to the ministry’s data. Last year above 880,000 Russians chose Thailand for their holidays destinations, which is twice lower than before. "Thailand has always been one of the most favorite destinations for Russian nationals, so we think that with the improvement of the economic situation the tourist flow will start growing," the diplomat said. Read more