The association reported it members were handling an average of 20,000 tourists daily through Bangkok’s two international airports since the bomb attack.
“Cancellations have been be short-lived and were limited to the first couple of weeks after the Erawan attack,” ATTA president Charoen Wangananont said in the association’s report on business trends and data for January to August this year.
Member companies handled 2,901,298 international tourists at Suvarnabhumi Airport during the eight month period representing an increase of 69.61pc from 1,710,612 visits during the same period last year.
ATTA released its data, late last week, based on fees member agencies pay to the airport to provide a meet-and-greet service for international clients. It is considered an accurate barometer for the tourism industry but is limited to travel through Bangkok’s two airports.
For the first eight months of the year, China was the top supplier improving 187.93pc from 525,246 visits to 1,512,338 visits.
Vietnam followed with an increase of 316.87pc from 37,259 to 155,323 visits.
The next top five markets were: Russia (124,304; -64.86pc); India (123,935; +24.84pc); and Japan (101,385; +43.89pc).
In August, there were 342,943 foreign tourists who booked travel with association members and that resulted in a remarkable increase of 50.81pc from 227,406 visits during the same month in 2014.
China was again the top source of business with 198,601 visits growing 112.60pc from 93,416 visits.
Neighbouring Vietnam followed in second place with 16,561 visits up 107.97pc from 7,963 visits during the same month last year.
India ranked third with 14,079 visits improving 10.81pc from 12,705 visits.
South Korea was in fourth recording 11,863 visits up 47.97pc from 8,017, while Japan in fifth place posted 10,079 visits, growing 24.34pc from 8,106 visits.
The next top five markets in August were: Russia (8,231; -54.17); Hong Kong (7,381; +20.31); Taiwan (6,342; +22.65pc); the United Kingdom (+83.19pc); and Spain (4,467; +79.43pc).
The association also reported that 114,052 tourists were handled by member companies at Don Mueang Airport in August, representing an increase of 166.57pc from 42,785 during the same month last year.
China also topped arrivals at the second gateway recording 102,656 visits improving 4.81pc from 97,858 visits.
Indonesia was in second with 3,766 visits growing 100.96pc from 1,874 visits during the same month last year.
Malaysia ranked third recording 1,440 visits, an increase of 233.33pc from 432 visits.
Vietnam was in fourth place with 1,375 visits up 5.28pc from 413, while Japan was in fifth place with 1,312 visits but with a remarkable growth of 2,242.86pc from 56 visits during the same month last year. The increase was attributed to the introduction of long-haul, low-cost services between Bangkok and Japan.
The next top five markets in August were: South Korea (918; +1,736.00pc); India (844; +104.36pc); Taiwan (307; +100.00pc); UK (182; +574.07pc); and the Netherlands (125; +1,462.50pc).
ATTA opened its second office at Don Mueang Airport, 1 August, last year, to offer meet-and-greet services for member travel agents.
ATTA members handled 3,676,083 clients at both airports during January and August an increase of 109.65pc from 1,753,397 visits during the same period last year.
– Wanwisa Ngamsangchaikit
Read original report here.