This quarter, the index was 66 out of 100, down from 70 in the previous quarter and 68 in the third quarter of 2024, reports the Bangkok Post.
The survey, conducted between Aug 15 and Sept 16, involved 740 tourism operators, 450 Thai tourists and 310 foreign tourists.
The report highlighted several challenges that have hindered sentiment in the industry during the quarter, including a sluggish economy, the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, a decline in Chinese travellers, and baht appreciation.
The projection for foreign arrivals was downgraded to 33.1 million for this year from the previous forecast of 33.3mn made in July ‒ a 6.7% drop from last year and a 17% decline from 2019, the peak year for foreign arrivals.
According to the report, the confidence index for the fourth quarter is projected to be 72, another decrease year-on-year.
Tourism confidence in five of the seven regions ‒ northern, eastern, Bangkok, central and northeastern ‒ dropped from last year, with the capital reporting the steepest decline, falling from 83 to 68 in the third quarter.
Among Thai travellers, 15% of respondents plan to travel abroad in the fourth quarter, with 18% each in that segment planning to visit Vietnam and China, while 15% are planning trips to Japan.
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said the agency plans to organise various festivals such as Loy Krathong and New Year countdown events to enhance sentiment in the tourism sector.
She said TAT wants to drive growth in long-haul markets, including the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. However, the Chinese market sagged due to travellers’ concerns over safety, which TAT said it was addressing.