Thailand has set a lofty goal of luring 150,000 high-value Saudi Arabian tourists in order to boost tourism.
Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, stated that improved diplomatic relations between Thailand and Saudi Arabia had had a significant impact on the Thai tourism business.
According to figures from 2015 to 2023, the number of Saudi Arabian travelers to Thailand has increased significantly. Thailand received 25,153 Saudi Arabian travelers in 2015. In 2016, that figure increased to 33,038; in 2017, it increased even more to 42,610. In 2018, the figure fell slightly to 35,090, but it rose again in 2019 to 36,783. According to Siripakorn, the number increased to 96,389 in 2022, a significant increase due to strengthened diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Also, the number of Saudi Arabian tourists in the first three months of 2023 was already 21,388. In light of this growing tendency, Siripakorn stated that the TAT has set a goal of luring 150,000 Saudi Arabian tourists this year, with the aim that the tourists will contribute up to 120 billion baht to the Thai economy. “Most Saudi visitors arrive in Thailand as couples.” They also stay in luxurious hotels and have a high spending capacity, with short excursions costing around 100,000 baht per person on average. “Thailand has a potential to recruit more of these high-value tourists,” Siripakorn said.
According to Siripakorn, 53% of Saudi Arabian tourists are first-time visitors, while 43% had previously visited Thailand and plan to return.
Thailand has also been considering developing Islamic tourism in general, which is essential to many Saudi Arabian visitors. According to the Tourist Board, Pattaya, with its many natural attractions such as islands and beaches, as well as family attractions such as water parks, gardens, and animal venues, is an ideal fit for this type of tourism. Pattaya also has a growing Muslim community and a broad selection of Halal food.
