Pattaya, Thailand-
Despite relaxed Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and borders top tourism and business association members in Pattaya and Chonburi tell local media that domestic tourism remain a top focus for Pattaya for the future.
During COVID-19, due to mostly closed borders and onerous restrictions, Pattaya and Chonburi pivoted their focus from foreign tourism to domestic tourism, especially from Bangkok and Eastern provinces like Chanthaburi.
According to the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association (PBTA), this led to 12.5 million domestic tourists in Chonburi and Pattaya in 2022. Only Phuket had more, and it was a close call. As for foreign tourists, although Thailand Pass and other measures were cancelled in mid 2022, only about 1.5 million arrived.
Despite steadily increasing numbers of foreign tourists, the PBTA says that domestic tourism will remain a significant permanent focus for Pattaya. The PBTA also says several future plans will help continue to attract domestic tourism.
These plans include weekly events, conferences, family attractions and activities, and continued focus on improving and expanding the beaches.
Prior to Covid-19 domestic tourism had not been a top priority for Pattaya, with many Bangkok tourists choosing Bangsaen or Hua Hin over Pattaya. However, many Bangkok tourists rediscovered Pattaya and found a renewed interest in it as a holiday destination during the pandemic and the PBTA plans to expand upon that in the future.
At the end of the day, this only means Pattaya will be busier for everyone.
