Thailand's tourism industry is experiencing significant changes as the number of Chinese tourists declines, contrary to the sharp increase of visitors from South Korea and Taiwan. These shifts can be attributed to various economic factors within China and changing consumer travel behaviors, according to experts.
Mr. Paisarn Sukchareon, the president of the Thai Hotels Association for the northern region, noted, "Despite the decline of Chinese tourists, the surge from South Korea and Taiwan is notable. March is expected to see a slight decrease, but with the Songkran festival approaching, we anticipate tourism revenue might exceed 2 billion baht this April." This optimism reflects the continued resilience of the Thai tourism sector, even as it adapts to new market realities.
The decrease in Chinese tourists stems from several factors, including China's slow economic recovery and changing spending habits. Nevertheless, the impact has not been uniformly negative. Travelers from South Korea and Taiwan are increasingly choosing Thailand as their preferred vacation destination due to its affordability and diverse travel activities. The local industry remains optimistic about the upcoming months.
Meanwhile, on another front, Thailand has been making significant strides with its agricultural exports. The Thai government reported impressive figures for mango exports, with total sales reaching 4.716 billion baht last year, marking an increase of 45.68% compared to previous years. South Korean purchasers were the largest buyers, totaling 2.931 billion baht—up 132.7%, which constitutes 62.2% of all Thai mango exports.
According to Anukool Prueksanusak, deputy spokesman of the Prime Minister's Office, "South Korea's policies, which included lowering import tariffs on tropical fruits, have made Thai mangoes more appealing. The tariff on mangoes was reduced from 30% to 0%, which significantly boosts their market potential." He also noted the influence of Thai cultural exports permeated through social media, making products like "sticky rice with mango" particularly popular among South Korean consumers.
The demand for Thai mangoes has also surged thanks to changing consumer preferences, with many South Koreans integrating fresh fruits post-meal or as snacks, which aligns perfectly with Thailand's agricultural offerings.
Despite the slight decline in other markets, Malaysia remains a significant player, generating 1.191 billion baht from mango imports, even though this figure has decreased by 12.8%. The Malaysian market continues to consume Thai mangoes due to the popularity of fresh fruit and drinks like mango shakes. Similarly, Japan's appetite for Thai mangoes is growing due to health trends, with consumption rising by 32.8%.
The Thai government is also currently negotiating the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with South Korea. If successful, it will facilitate even lower tariffs on Thai fruits and bolster exports substantially. The dynamics surrounding agricultural exports remain promising, with Anukool stating, "If we maintain our product quality and freshness, we can build consumer confidence and greatly expand our market opportunities."
The government has taken proactive measures to promote and register geographical indications for various Thai mango varieties, ensuring their premium status globally. Currently, 12 types of Thai mangoes have received protection under this system, which can help solidify Thailand's reputation for quality agriculture on the world stage.
Anukool concluded, "The Thai government remains committed to promoting and supporting agricultural growth alongside global markets. This will help generate income for Thai farmers and strengthen the Thai economy moving forward." With these growing sectors, Thailand appears poised for continued economic development, leveraging both tourism and agriculture as cornerstones of its future success.