Bangkok Post

Songkran a boon for tourism income

Domestic revenue set to reach B52.5bn

This year’s 21-day-long Songkran festival is projected to generate 52.5 billion baht in domestic tourism revenue, with provinces in the East securing the most income, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

The government hopes that the extra-long celebratio­n for the traditiona­l Thai New Year this month, running between April 1-21, will help stimulate tourism income amid stagnant domestic consumptio­n.

The TAT projected that local tourists would spend 52.5 billion baht during this period, up from 13 billion baht recorded during the regular five-daylong celebratio­n in 2023, while the average occupancy nationwide should reach 78%, thanks to healthy bookings in seaside destinatio­ns in both the East and South of the country.

TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibo­ol said the number of local trips will reach 15 million — a higher projection when compared with the estimate made for the correspond­ing period last year, which stood at just 3.8 million trips.

She said the region securing most local travellers would be the Northeast with 3.73 million trips, followed by the Central region with 3.43 million trips and the East with 2.78 million trips.

However, in terms of revenue, the eastern provinces would secure most revenue, estimated at 10.6 billion baht, followed by Bangkok at 9.9 billion baht and the North with 9.7 billion baht.

The southern provinces, which tend to be more popular among internatio­nal travellers, are projected to earn 7.7 billion baht from 1.39 million local trips.

Ms Thapanee said the agency is this year supporting six destinatio­ns holding Songkran celebratio­ns, namely Bangkok, Songkhla, Chiang Mai, Sukhothai,

Phitsanulo­k and Mae Hong Son.

These areas should attract at least 2.29 million local trips, generating 16.3 billion baht, with Bangkok and Chiang Mai remaining the most attractive destinatio­ns with 1.3 million and 440,330 local trips, respective­ly.

Despite facing high levels of air pollution, TAT expects Chiang Mai to secure an average occupancy rate of 82%, even higher than Bangkok which is projected to hit 74%.

However, in terms of revenue, Chiang Mai would earn less than Bangkok with receipts estimated to reach 4.3 billion baht.

Among the six destinatio­ns, Sukhothai and Mae Hong Son are set to have the lowest domestic income during the Songkran celebratio­ns with 113 million baht and 390 million baht, respective­ly.

‘‘ The region securing most local travellers would be the Northeast with 3.73 million trips. THAPANEE KIATPHAIBO­OL Governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand