Thai media fears Thailand could lose position as top SEA destination to Vietnam
VOV.VN - Tourism operators fear that Thailand will lose its position as the top Southeast Asian (SEA) destination to Vietnam in a few years, Thai newspaper Bangkok Post wrote in recent article.
Vietnam reported inbound market growth of nearly 50% in March compared with the pre-pandemic period, while Thailand struggles with sluggish growth, Thai media reported.
Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, president of the Association of Chon Buri Tourism Federation, outlined that it may take only two to three years for Vietnam to gain more inbound tourists than Thailand.
For this year, Vietnam has set a goal of reaching 23 million foreign arrivals, while Thailand's Finance Ministry has moved to slash its international arrivals forecast from 38.5 million to 36.5 million.
Thailand recorded 2.7 million tourists in March, down 20% from the 2019 level, while Vietnam tallied more than two million tourists in the same month, up 40% from 2019.
Thanet stated that Vietnam offers lower living costs than Thailand. Family-oriented resorts and theme parks are also newer and cheaper than similar products in Thailand, while all-inclusive packages at Vietnamese hotels are half the price of those in Thailand.
Vietnam supports foreign travel agents, such as those from Russia, by subsidising air travel and offering lower landing fees at airports, said Thanet. This in turn as caused agents to shift their tours to cities like Nha Trang from Phuket this summer season, he shared.
Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khao San Road Business Association, said that the Thai capital of Bangkok may record fewer tourist arrivals than last year as the Chinese market shrinks and foreigners instead pivot to emerging destinations such as Vietnam.
Vietnam boasts a wide range of attractions, ranging from nature and beaches to a vibrant nightlife scene, with a notable walking street and nightlife district in Ho Chi Minh City that can compete with the famous Khao San Road, he added.
Vietnam among leading destinations for Thai tourists
VOV.VN - The number of Thai tourists visiting the country is on the rise amid many popular destinations reopening without restrictions, while a weaker currency against the baht is also supporting the outbound tourism market, according to Yuthasak Supasorn, director general of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
