Tourists are seen inside the Grand Palace, one of the favorite tourist spots in Bangkok, Thailand, May 20, 2025. Photo by Reuters
Thailand’s tourism sector is facing a significant post-pandemic challenge, with the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) forecasting that revenue from foreign visitors in 2025 will fall by over 20% compared to pre-Covid levels.
The TCT estimates that revenue from international tourists will drop to approximately 1.52 trillion baht (US$47.23 billion) in 2025, a steep decline from the 1.91 trillion baht ($59.39 billion) recorded in 2019.
This projected 20.2% revenue slump is higher than the anticipated 17% decrease in tourist volume.
The council expects 33.14 million tourists in 2025, which is 6.7% lower than the figure for 2024, and 17% down on the 2019 total.
The TCT attributes the disproportionate fall in revenue to changing tourist behavior and structure. A key factor is the sharp decrease in high-spending Chinese visitors, offset by a continuous rise in Malaysian arrivals.
Tourists, in general, are now exhibiting behavior focused on achieving better value for money. This trend is compounded by a growing proportion of budget-conscious Free Independent Travellers (FITs) and backpackers. Negative economic pressures are also weighing heavily on the sector.
