Thursday, November 7, 2024 Thailand is anticipated to break its pre-pandemic tourist arrival record in 2025, as the global travel industry continues its robust recovery. According to Agoda Holdings Co., a prominent online travel platform, Thailand’s tourism is set to experience an impressive resurgence due to a combination of favorable government policies and an increase in flight availability.
Omri Morgenshtern, Agoda’s Chief Executive Officer, shared these optimistic projections, crediting Thailand’s visa waiver programs and expanded air connectivity as major factors that could drive foreign arrivals past the record 39 million visitors previously reached in 2019. As a nation heavily reliant on tourism, this forecast spells promising developments for Thailand’s economy. The country has witnessed a strong rebound in tourism following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had severely disrupted global travel.
This resurgence aligns with the positive outlook shared by multiple Thai government agencies, reflecting the government’s concerted efforts to reinvigorate tourism. Agoda’s CEO, Omri Morgenshtern, attributed the optimistic forecast to the Thai government’s supportive visa policies, particularly the recent visa waiver schemes, which have eased entry restrictions for numerous foreign nationals. These visa waivers are expected to encourage more spontaneous travel and facilitate longer stays among visitors.
Additionally, Morgenshtern pointed to a planned in.