Visa insights reveal key travel trends among inbound travellers to Thailand

An in-depth analysis of in-store payment data from visitors from these top five countries revealed their spending focused primarily on accommodation, retail goods, restaurants, apparel and accessories stores, and healthcare.

Punnamas Vichitkulwongsa, Country Manager for Visa Thailand, said: "These spending analyses offer unprecedented insights into the spending behaviors of international travellers, allowing us to deepen engagement, uplift spending, and elevate Thailand's tourism industry to new heights. For example, travellers from the United States allocate over a quarter of their expenditures to accommodation, with healthcare-related expenses accounting for more than 10 percent. This type of insight could empower our partners and local businesses to identify new opportunities and thrive."

Shopping was a significant focus for visitors from Mainland China and Singapore, who allocated 25% and 18% of their total spending to retail, respectively.

Japanese tourists stood out for their dining preferences, with 22% of their expenditures directed toward restaurants. Meanwhile, travellers from the United Kingdom allocated 37% of their spending to accommodations, reflecting a strong preference for premium lodging options.

The analysis by Visa also identified the top five provinces with the highest spending by international tourists during first half of 2024: Bangkok, Phuket, Samutprakarn, Chonburi, and Surat Thani in that listed order. Among these, Surat Thani exhibited the highest spending growth at 30%, likely driven by increased tourism in Koh Samui.

As Thailand continues to captivate travellers from around the world, Visa recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) focusing on enhancing the travel experience through advanced data insights and expanded digital payment acceptance. By understanding the evolving preferences of international visitors, Visa and TAT aim to support local businesses, foster seamless travel, and contribute to Thailand's sustainable tourism growth.

* Payment data from foreign-issued personal Visa cards used at domestic merchants from January 2024 to June 2024

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