Thailand has long been a popular destination among tourists from around the world. In 2019, more than 40 million visitors stopped by the Southeast Asian country. Naturally, tourism took a heavy hit in Thailand during the pandemic as it did around the world and recovery has been steady but slow. Still, the government set lofty goals for 2024 and it almost reached them.
2024 saw more than 35 million people visit Thailand, putting the country close to its pre-pandemic numbers. That is a jump of 26% from 2023. While people are coming from every corner of the planet, the biggest groups heading to Thailand are coming from China, Malaysia, India, South Korea, and Russia. Proximity pays a big factor in this but also aggressive marketing campaigns in these regions which are paying off. An ease in visa restrictions from some countries also helped.
These numbers fell slightly below the goal set by the government for 2024 but remain a huge increase year over year. The government is also setting a goal of 40 million tourists for 2025, which would be an increase of five million people over 2024. That would put tourism on par with the pre-pandemic record and be a huge boost to the overall economy across the country. Given the generally positive press that Thailand is getting from travelers, it's not hard to imagine that being achieved.
Thailand is a Southeast Asian country with a population of 66 million people that borders Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and the Gulf of Thailand. Tourist are drawn to the country by excellent street food, vibrant nightlife, and a unique culture. It's also loaded with both natural and archaeological wonders, not to mention friendly locals who are usually happy to help foreigners.