The number of foreign tourists using the services of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta) has surged significantly this year as the Asian market grows. The association said that as of December 10.
The association said that as of December 10, 5.49 million foreigners used its members' services -- a 6.8% increase over the same period last year.
Tourists from China topped the list for the second year running at more than 3.2 million during the period, 4.15% year-on-year growth, followed by Vietnam with 217,000 tourists, a 25.7% increase, and South Korea with 167,000 visitors, up 57.4%.
Atta said more Chinese tourists, both free individual travellers and groups, are entering Thailand via other entry points than Bangkok, such as Phuket, Phi Phi Island, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Cha-am and Hua Hin.
Atta, which has more than 1,200 tour members, also urged major airports including Suvarnabhumi, Phuket, Krabi and U-tapao to prepare for the influx of Chinese tourists during the year-end period and other peak seasons like Chinese New Year, which falls in the first quarter, and Golden Week, which takes place in the last.
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