About the market:

After Thailand’s inbound tourism market exceeded 10 million arrivals for the first time in 2001, the government announced its intention to make the country one of the world’s top five tourism destinations by 2020. Mintel’s International Tourism Forecasts report – published prior to December’s tsunami – had projected that Thailand was capable of attracting almost 20 million arrivals by the close of the decade, and the news emanating from Thailand suggests that this should still be possible.

The damage caused to the southern peninsula by the Boxing Day tsunami at the close of 2004 is being addressed and the Thai authorities are busy projecting images of restored facilities and pristine beaches as they seek to persuade the international market to return. Although the area and resorts which were struck represent one of Thailand’s most popular tourism areas, Thailand is more than mere beachfront when it comes to tourism product. There is now perhaps an opportunity to communicate the fact and publicise the attractions of the mountainous north, central plains and the Gulf of Thailand, as well as the restored and renovated southwest peninsula.

About Mintel’s research:

A Mintel TTA Country report, this publication offers industry professionals the chance to clearly evaluate Thailand’s tourism prospects. Combining the latest tourism data from the most authoritative sources and Mintel’s own unique, independent analysis of market characteristics, it provides a level of market-explanation that can help create focused marketing and shape effective tourism policy at the highest level.