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Thailand may not reach 40 million tourists again until 2031 or later
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BANGKOK – Thailand may have to wait until 2031 or later to welcome 40 million foreign tourists annually again, as the country’s tourism industry struggles to regain its pre-pandemic momentum amid growing competition from regional rivals, particularly Vietnam.
Key facts
- A survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) found that only 10.6% of tourism operators believed Thailand could return to 40 million annual visitors by 2029.
- BANGKOK – Thailand may have to wait until 2031 or later to welcome 40 million foreign tourists annually again, as the country’s tourism industry struggles to regain its pre-pandemic momentum amid growing competition from regional rivals,
- Meanwhile, 32.2% expected the milestone to be reached in 2031-2032, while 30.4% believed it would take until after 2032
- UTCC forecasts that Thailand will receive approximately 31.5 million foreign tourists in 2026, down 4.5% from nearly 33 million last year.
- Arrivals are expected to recover by 7.9% to 34 million in 2027, generating approximately 1.632 trillion baht in tourism revenue, although the university warned that the target remained uncertain.
- During the first nine months of 2026, foreign arrivals fell 3.8% to 23.2 million
Summary
A survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) found that only 10.6% of tourism operators believed Thailand could return to 40 million annual visitors by 2029.
Meanwhile, 32.2% expected the milestone to be reached in 2031-2032, while 30.4% believed it would take until after 2032. Another 9.1% feared Thailand might never reach 40 million visitors again.