A selection of bitesize stories and positive developments making the news in the Land of Smiles recently:
Suvarnabhumi airport gears up for Chinese New Year 2026
Suvarnabhumi Airport is making strategic moves in preparation for the Chinese New Year in 2026, as it expects a large number of Chinese tourists to visit Thailand. The airport has taken steps to improve the travel experience and cater to the expected increase in flight traffic and tourist arrivals, especially from China. This is a sign of the continued revival of the tourism and aviation industries in Thailand, which has a positive effect on the economy.
(source: Travel and Tour World)
TAT campaign spotlights local delicacies from Eastern Thailand
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Eastern Region has partnered with the Thailand Gastronomy Network, Krungthai Card and SIXT Thailand, alongside regional stakeholders, to launch a tourism initiative titled “EAT THE EAST: THE GRAND ROAD TRIP”. The campaign seeks to promote local delicacies and food culture through drive tourism. According to TAT, drive tourism forms part of the “journey economy”, where economic value is generated throughout the travel route rather than at a single destination
(source: Marketech APAC)
Has elephant tourism in Thailand actually changed, or is it just being marketed differently?
After 15 years of monitoring Thailand’s elephant tourism industry, World Animal Protection’s latest report finds that while the experiences on offer look different, the underlying conditions for most elephants have barely moved. According to the report, Thailand currently has 2,849 elephants held across 236 tourism venues. That number is slightly higher than in 2019 and dramatically higher (+73%) than in 2010.
(source: Karryon)
Thailand expects 35 million international tourists in 2026
Thailand is preparing for one of the most significant tourism revivals in its modern history. Tourism planners expect international visitor numbers to climb sharply in 2026, with arrivals projected to reach around 35 million. This outlook highlights renewed global confidence in Thailand as a safe, accessible, and experience-rich destination. For travellers worldwide, the forecast offers important insights into how Thailand’s travel landscape is evolving and what to expect when planning future trips.
(source: Travel and Tour World)
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