BANGKOK — Thailand is heading for a difficult winter season due to a simultaneous decline in European and Chinese visitors. Thailand's hospitality sector fears for occupancy levels during peak season. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are hampering air travel from Europe, while security concerns surrounding cross-border crime are reducing demand from China.
In destinations such as Pattaya, entrepreneurs see the number of European tourists dropping by 20 to 30 percent compared to last year, due to higher air fares and changed flight schedules. European travelers are highly dependent on transfer hubs such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi. Military escalations around the Strait of Hormuz lead to higher fuel costs, diversions and less consumer confidence. The influx of Russian visitors remains stable, but cannot compensate for the loss of the broader European market.
The Chinese market has also seen a sharp decline: the daily number of arrivals fell from an average of 10,000 to around 7,000, after warnings about criminal 'scam centers' in neighboring Myanmar. The Thai Ministry of Tourism consulted with the Chinese embassy on this matter, which led to a joint working group on information exchange and security.
The government is considering additional marketing support for airlines, and industry organizations are calling for 300 additional charter flights. Despite the Tourism Authority of Thailand's goal of welcoming more than 10 million long-distance visitors, the Kasikorn Research Center expects a 4.9 percent decline in foreign arrivals for the whole of 2026, putting significant economic pressure on hospitality, transport and entertainment.
Source: ThaiExaminer
