Tourism confidence dives

Sector facing string of negative factors

- MOLPASORN SHOOWONG

The tourism confidence index in the second quarter plunged year-on-year, as tourism contracted since the beginning of the year due to safety concerns and cautious tourism spending following the US's decision to implement a reciprocal tariff policy, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT).

The TCT also predicted that Thailand would gain only 33.3 million foreign arrivals this year, which is even fewer visitors than last year, and secure 1.75 trillion baht revenue.

TCT president Chai Arunanondchai said the tourism industry has been facing even greater challenges than last year due to a string of negative factors.

According to the TCT, the tourism confidence index for the second quarter stood at only 70, below a benchmark of 100 recorded prior to the pandemic.