BANGKOK – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has sharply cut its projections for the number of international visitors and tourism revenue next year due to soaring oil prices, which are discouraging international travel and have led to cuts in inbound flights.
It targets only a 3.3% growth in the number of international visitors in 2009, a sharp downward revision from the original projection of 10%.
From a projected 17 million, or 10% growth, the TAT now expects only 16 million travellers to visit the country. About 15 million visitors are expected in 2008.
The TAT has also halved it revenue-growth projection for next year to 5%, though spending per head per trip is expected to increase.
Deputy governor for international marketing Santichai Eua-Chongprasit said the three key negative factors were oil prices, world economic uncertainty, and fewer flights into Thailand.
