TAT Reports Sharp Outbound Decline

BANGKOK: Outbound travel from Thailand recorded a 28 percent year-on-year decline during the first half of 1998, the Tourism Authority of Thailand reported. From January 1, 1998 through June 30, 1998, a total of 689,914 Thai nationals departed the Kingdom for international destinations. During the same period last year, a total of 957,453 travelers were recorded. Travel to all but one European destination recorded double-digit year-on-year declines. Regional destinations also suffered steep declines, with Thai travelers to Hong Kong down more than 50 percent, mainland China down 49 percent, and Japan down 34 percent. A total of 17,096 Thais traveled to the U.S. during the first half of 1998 – almost half the number for the first six months of last year when 22,449 were America-bound. Despite the decline, the U.S. continued to be the most popular Western destination for Thai travelers.