BANGKOK, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Thailand recorded over 30.56 million foreign tourists until mid-November, a rise of 29 percent from a year earlier, on course to meet the full-year target of 36.7 million foreign tourists, official data showed on Tuesday.
With 5.97 million arrivals, Chinese tourists made up the largest source market for the Southeast Asian country so far this year, followed by 4.36 million from Malaysia and 1.82 million from India, according to the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
In a statement, the ministry expected further growth in tourist number as the peak travel season approaches, particularly from long-haul markets, due to increased flight capacity, the government's ease of traveling measures and promotions encouraging airlines to expand flights to Thailand.
Thailand has generated approximately 1.43 trillion baht (about 41.40 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue from international tourists so far this year, the ministry said. The kingdom is targeting a tourism revenue of 3.5 trillion baht (about 101.33 billion dollars) in 2024.
In pre-pandemic 2019, Thailand welcomed a record 39.9 million foreign arrivals, generating 1.91 trillion baht (about 55.26 billion dollars) in revenue.
Tourism, a key driver of the nation's economic growth, accounted for 14.16 percent of gross domestic product in the second quarter of this year.
