ATTA released its data, earlier this week, based on fees member agencies pay to the airport to provide a meet-and-greet service for international clients.
The association president, Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, said the country’s tourism situation was improving particularly in mainland China as well as Taiwan and Hong Kong.
The Chinese New Year holiday in February was a key driver in those markets, he said.
“Asian markets are showing signs of recovery with more arrivals from Japan, South Korea, India, Taiwan and Hong Kong while the number of Europeans decreases due to the ongoing economic recession.”
For the first two months of the year, China led the field with an improvement of 165.25 per cent from 123,724 visits to 328,172 visits.
Russia followed in second place with 58,974 visits, down 67.72 per cent from 182,719 during the same month last year.
The next in top five markets were: Japan (32,993; +14.11 per cent); South Korea (28,872; +34.48 per cent); and India (25,821; +33.76 per cent).
In February, there were 376,926 foreign tourists, who booked through the association’s members, an increase of 43.32 per cent from 262,987 visits during the same month in 2013.
China ranked the highest during the second month of the year with 179,471 visits growing 187.05 per cent from 62,522 visits.
Although it posted a decline of 72.47 per cent, Russia was in second place with 23,408 visits compared to 85,033 during the same month last year. However, travel agents were warned by the association to prepare for bigger losses in this market.
Japan was in third place with 18,959 visits up 54.93 per cent from 12,237, while India in fourth with 13,017 visits increased 53.16 per cent from 8,499 visits. South Korea in fifth place with 12,722 visits improved 48.28 per cent from 8,580 visits.
The next top five markets in February were: Vietnam (11,039; +230.91 per cent); Hong Kong (9,869; +7,858.87 per cent); Germany (8,923; +21.83 per cent); Taiwan (5,709; +18.13 per cent); and France (5,120; -23.33 per cent).
The association also reported 86,254 tourists arrived at Don Mueang Airport in February, booked on tours with ATTA members.