A man walks at the empty Karon beach on Phuket Island, Thailand. (Reuters Photo)
Thailand’s tourism industry generated $60 billion in international tourism receipts in 2019, with each arrival spending $1,520 on average per visit, making it one of the world’s most profitable destinations.
Thailand looks ill-prepared for life without tourists as a fresh wave of contagion hits. The Southeast Asian country needs to wean itself off this economic crutch, but political instability stands in the way.
Gorgeous beaches, spicy food and temples draw a steady stream of travellers. The industry generated $60 billion in international tourism receipts in 2019, with each arrival spending $1,520 on average per visit, making it one of the world’s most profitable destinations.
World Bank data put the industry’s total contribution to GDP at $100 billion in 2018, about one-fifth of activity.
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