Number Of Indians Visiting Thailand Hits Record High In 2011

The number of tourists from India to Thailand hit the record high, rising 20.6% to 916,787 in 2011 although the country was hit by the worst floods in decades and the global economic fragility hurt consumer confidence in Europe and the U.S.

The number of total tourists visiting Thailand last year also marked the record high, growing 19.8% to 19.09 million from a year earlier.

The Indian tourists ranked number six of all countries into Thailand, following Malaysia, China, Japan, Russia, and South Korea.

The growth rate of 19.8% for Thailand is better than the United Nations World Tourism Organisation's projected growth rate of 4%-5% for the world in 2011 and 7%-9% for the Asia Pacific.

The record year was achieved despite massive flooding in many parts of Thailand in the second half of the year. Though large areas in northern and central Thailand were inundated, most major tourist spots were spared.

The main tourist markets of Thailand bounced back quickly, with arrivals in January 2012 returning as normal. India, in particular, still showed a growth even at the height of the floods. Cities like Bangkok and Pattaya remained hugely popular with Indians and there were a noticeable rise in demands for the regional destinations of Phuket, Ko Samui, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, and Krabi. The most favorite activity for Indians in Thailand continued to be shopping and sightseeing, but there was also significant increase in the number of Indian weddings in the country with over 100 large-scale weddings of over 200 guests each, as well as more golf tours, student travel and eco-tourism.

Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mumbai Office