Bangkok (VNA) - The Tourism Authority ofThailand (TAT) is expecting more than 1 million foreign tourists to arrive inthe country this Lunar New Year holiday from January 8-16.

According to Thai Tourism and Sports Minister SudawanWangsuphakijkosol, during the upcoming New Year festival, Thailand hopes towelcome about 195,825 tourists from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan (China). Thisrepresents a 137% increase compared to the previous year, generating totalincome of 11.40 billion THB (320 million USD), up 157% over the same periodlast year.

The official notes that the positive tourism atmosphere canbe attributed to favourable travel conditions, Thailand's visa waiver policy,and increased flight availability.

Among the Chinese tourists, it is anticipated that themajority, about 150,295 people, will come from China, marking a 335% increasefrom 2023. Hong Kong is expected to contribute 22,830 tourists, while thenumber of tourists from Taiwan is predicted to reach 22,700.

Sudawan estimates that the average spending per Chinesetourist from these markets during the 2024 Lunar New Year celebration will be58,236 THB per person per trip, reflecting an 8% increase from 2023.

Most of the spending will likely be concentrated in Bangkok,where Chinese tourists, especially from Hong Kong and Taiwan, tend to stay athigh-end hotels.

TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatpaiboon predicted that the totalrevenue during the Lunar New Year celebration will reach 34.39 billion THB, 29%more than in 2023.

She asserted that international markets will contribute28.39 billion BHT, a 36% increase driven by an expected 34% growth in thenumber of foreign tourists to 995,000. The revenue from domestic tourism isprojected to be 6 billion THB, a 6% increase, driven by an expected 10%increase in the number of Thai domestic tourists to 2 million./.