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International visitor arrivals to Thailand
in 2007 totaled more than 14 million, near the target set by the
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), while there were signs of
tourism improvement next year, according to senior tourism industry
executives.
Anek Srishevachart, president of the Thai
Travel Agents Association and vice chairman of the Association of
Thai Travel Agents, said the number of Russian tourists visiting
Thailand in 2007 increased while there was a decrease in Japanese
and Chinese visitors.
The tourism business outlook for 2008 was
showing positive signs after the December 23 general election and
the number of tourists visiting Thailand would definitely increase
if the general situation in the country was normal, said Mr.
Anek.
The number of Thais travelling abroad in
2007 totaled about four million, mostly to neighboring countries as
they returned home the same day, said Mr. Anek. Domestic political
turbulence and economic problems were the major reasons preventing
Thais from travelling overseas, but more Thais were expected to
travel abroad in 2008 if these two problems were solved, he
noted.
Meanwhile, Charoen Wangananond, president
of the Association of Domestic Travel, said the domestic Thai
tourism sector in 2007 contracted 5 per cent on cruxes including
local political problems, rising oil prices, increased cost of
living and flooding in several parts of the country.
Next year, especially during the first
quarter, the situation should improve as long as the new government
implemented measures to stimulate the economy and investment, which
could encourage more Thais to travel within Thailand, said Mr.
Charoen.
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