TAT puts faith in Malaysian visitors despite forecast cut

Despite the target for Malaysian tourists having been cut to 5 million this year, equivalent to the level seen in 2024, this market may reach the same number of arrivals as the Chinese as it is still unfazed by the situation along the border provinces.

- MOLPASORN SHOOWONG

Patsee Permvongsenee, executive director of the Asean, South Asia and South Pacific region at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said there is still hope for the Malaysian market amid sluggish Chinese arrivals.

As of Aug 17, Thailand welcomed over 2.87 million Malaysian tourists, the second-largest inbound market, trailing Chinese arrivals by only 60,000. There was a week in early July when Malaysian arrivals even exceeded those from China.

Mrs Patsee said that since over 70% of arrivals entered via the land border, TAT is holding promotional campaigns and regular events in those areas to attract repeat visitors on a monthly basis, such as the illumination art event “Vijitr at Hatyai” from Aug 29-Sept 21.

“Malaysians now visit Thailand via the border more on weekdays, not only weekends,’ she said.