The number of international tourists next year might be lower than the Finance Ministry’s forecast because of the impact of the Omicron coronavirus variant, said Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith.
The ministry projects seven million foreign tourist arrivals next year, up from the forecast of 200,000 for this year. There were around 40 million tourist arrivals in 2019.
Last week the Bank of Thailand’s Monetary Policy Committee said it reduced its foreign tourist arrival outlook for 2022 from 6 million to 5.6 million, in line with the central bank’s existing assessment regarding downside risks for tourism amid higher uncertainties for an outbreak.
Arrivals should gradually improve in the second half of next year.
The tourism industry, which contributed up to 20% of GDP during boom years, plummeted to 1.79% of GDP during the first half of 2021, largely as a…
