Bangkok – Thailand’s tourism sector continues to face headwinds as foreign arrivals declined by 4.56% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to data released Tuesday by the Tourism and Sports Ministry. From January 1 to June 29, the kingdom recorded approximately 16.61 million international visitors, down from 17.4 million in 2024.

Thai Government Considers Hosting Formula 1 Grand Prix to Boost Tourism

Malaysia remained the top source market with 2.29 million arrivals, narrowly edging out China, which contributed 2.25 million tourists. The figures come just weeks after the Bank of Thailand revised its full-year tourism forecast downward from 37.5 million to 35 million visitors, signaling growing concerns about the sector’s recovery.

The slowdown in tourism, coupled with weakening manufacturing output, has begun weighing on Thailand’s broader economy. While exports showed surprising strength in May, central bank officials noted these gains were offset by lackluster performance in other key sectors.

Thailand's Economic Growth Weakened By Falling Tourism And Manufacturing, But Export … – https://t.co/8gYn060lxu #GoogleAlerts

— Mbankofthailand (@Mbankofthailand) July 1, 2025

Thailand’s tourism industry has struggled to regain its pre-pandemic momentum after welcoming a record 40 million visitors in 2019. Analysts cite multiple factors for the sluggish recovery, including global economic uncertainty, shifting travel patterns, and increased competition from neighboring destinations.

Thailand Prepares for European Tourism Surge in 2025

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has pledged to implement new marketing strategies and visa facilitation measures to boost arrivals during the traditionally strong second half of the year. However, some industry insiders remain skeptical about reaching even the revised targets without significant improvements in key markets like China, which previously accounted for nearly a third of Thailand’s tourists.

-Thailand News (TN)