New tourism boss eyes domestic spending

The new tourism and sports minister wants to revive the tourism industry by next year to the same level as before the pandemic, prioritising budget usage to subsidise local consumption rather than giving handouts to foreign tourists.

- NARUMON KASEMSUK

Mr Artthakorn wants to promote local consumption.

Tourism and Sports Minister Artthakorn Sirilatthayakorn said this year tourism revenue and arrivals are likely to contract due to negative factors, primarily weaker tourist confidence in safety and the strong baht.

While the interim government has only four months before parliament is dissolved and a few months as a caretaker administration, he said his focus will be on increasing domestic spending and laying the groundwork for recovery in 2026.

Since 2019, when tourism revenue peaked at 3 trillion baht with nearly 40 million visitors, Thailand has yet to fully recover from the pandemic impact, unlike other countries. As of Sept 21, foreign arrivals this year tallied 23.4 million, down 7.4% year-on-year.

"I want the tourism sector to return to 2019 levels, but realistically that won't happen this year with only three months left and many challenges still present," said Mr Artthakorn.