Thai government expects rising int'l tourist arrivals

BANGKOK, January 31 (TNA) - The Thai government expects that the Kingdom will welcome more international tourist arrivals this year, with a growth rate of 8-10 per cent on top of last year. Deputy Government Spokeswoman Anutama Amornwiwat told journalists that the Cabinet, at its weekly meeting Tuesday, acknowledged an official report that about 19 million international tourists visited Thailand last year, some 3.16 million or 19.84 per cent increase from 2010, with the highest increases in the arrivals coming from those in East Asia, Oceania and South Asia, namely Malaysia, China, Japan, Russia, Korea and India. The deputy government spokesperson attributed the increased international tourist arrivals in 2011 to the expanding world economy, the stability of Thai political situation, popularity in Thai tourist destinations and marketing campaigns, saying although massive flooding in the last quarter of 2011 reduced international tourist arrivals in Thailand by 17.92 per cent in November, the number rebounded by 2.47 per cent in December. According to the Thai deputy government spokeswoman, world tourism may slow down this year, with only a 3-4 per cent year-on-year growth, due to ongoing economic crises in the United States and Europe which can reduce tourism-related purchasing power. Yet, with continual campaigns, Thailand should boost international tourist arrivals by 8-10 per cent in 2012, thanks to the country's popular tourist destinations. (TNA)