BANGKOK – The latest release of the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index has placed Thailand at the 47th position, a significant drop from its previous standing at 36th. This decline has sparked concern among Thailand’s tourism industry stakeholders, who have been striving to recover and bolster the nation’s status as a premier travel destination.

The Travel and Tourism Development Index, a critical benchmarking tool for the global tourism sector, assesses a multitude of factors that contribute to the sustainable and resilient development of travel and tourism economies. Thailand’s fall in the rankings is particularly disheartening, given the country’s efforts to bounce back from the adverse impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, which had already resulted in a slip from 35th to 36th place in 2021.

Several key factors have been identified as contributing to Thailand’s current ranking. The pandemic’s lingering effects on international travel, coupled with heightened global competition, have presented significant challenges. Additionally, the index reflects the need for improvements in areas such as infrastructure, regulatory framework, and environmental sustainability, which are crucial for the long-term growth and resilience of the travel and tourism sector.

The Thai government and tourism authorities are urged to consider the index’s findings as a call to action. By addressing the highlighted areas for improvement and leveraging Thailand’s inherent cultural and natural assets, there is an opportunity to not only recover lost ground but also to advance the nation’s position in future editions of the index.

The full report of the Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024 is available for review, providing detailed insights into the strengths and weaknesses of countries’ tourism sectors, including Thailand’s. It serves as a strategic guide for policymakers and industry leaders to make informed decisions that will shape the future of travel and tourism in Thailand and around the world.

For more information on the Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024, please visit the World Economic Forum’s official publication.
(zai)