REPORT - BALI - PATA TRAVEL MART: Thailand recorded a total of 6.95 million visitor arrivals in January – June 2007, an increase of 3.30% over the same period of 2006, according to figures made available by the Thailand`s Immigration Bureau, Police Department.

Although there was strong growth in arrivals from Europe (14.45%), the Middle East (19.97%), Oceania (20.66%), and South Asia (10.58%), there has been a decline in arrivals from key Asian source-markets like Malaysia (-11.64%), China (-17.72%), Japan (-6.54%) and Korea (-2.31%).

This has been attributed partially to reports about the situation in South Thailand as well as the strengthening of the baht. TAT officials have also noted that the number of Approved Destination Status countries by China is at an all-time high, giving Chinese visitors much more choice than previously about where to go.

TAT is projecting 14.8 million international visitor arrivals in 2007 and estimated revenue of 547.5 billion baht. The domestic tourism target is for 82 million trips with a projected revenue of 377 billion baht.

Mrs. Phornsiri Manoharn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said “We are confident that our marketing efforts and strong co-operation between the public and private sectors will help us meet our targets for this year. We are also working to address the declines in arrivals from our key markets.”

“At the same time, we are encouraged by the strong interest shown in Thailand by emerging markets like Russia, the Middle East, India and Africa,” Mrs Phornsiri said.

Details of visitor arrivals in January - June 2007

Overall:

Visitor arrivals tabulated by nationality showed a total of 6,954,752, an increase of 3.30% over the same period of 2006.

East Asia:

Visitor arrivals from East Asia declined by 3.91% to 3,606,731. Markets that have shown good growth include Laos PDR. (+122.26%), Myanmar (+31.68%), Cambodia (+3.81%), Indonesia (+3.01%), and Hong Kong (+2.87%).

Europe:

Visitor arrivals from Europe were up by 14.45% to 1,954,239. Russia was the outstanding market with a growth of 50.94% during this period. Other main markets like the UK were up by 4.56%, Germany (5.79%), Sweden (24.99%), and the Netherlands (8.50%).

The Americas:

Arrivals from the Americas declined by 1.46% to 454,651. USA, the main source market declined by 2.88% but there were some markets that showed a positive growth such as Argentina (+64.38%) and Brazil (+24.77%).

South Asia:

Arrivals from South Asia were up by 10.58% to 346,261. India, the main source of arrivals from South Asia showed a total of 264,555, up by 14.06% over the same period of 2006.

Oceania:

Arrivals were up by 20.66% to 350,854. Visitors from Australia were up by 22.75% to 302,981 and arrivals from New Zealand were up by 8.98% to 47,011.

The Middle East:

Arrivals from the Middle East grew by 19.97% to 189,689 with all markets showing positive growth. Arrivals from the UAE were up by 16.10%, while arrivals from Israel rose by 17.04%, Kuwait (9.65)%, Egypt (+19.02%), and Saudi Arabia (+31%). The Middle East market is important to Thailand because the visitors are high spenders.

Africa:

Arrivals from Africa were up by 9.67% to 52,327.