Around 8 million visitors went to Pattaya in the first half
of this year, putting the resort city to top last year's total, according to
the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
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| Russian tourist in Pattaya |
Suladda Sarutilavan, the TAT Pattaya office executive said,
the number of guests was up 5% on last year during the first six months, at
around 8 million.
Visitor spending during a similar period was 110 billion
baht, 15% more than in the first two quarters last year, she said.
Ms Suladda expected the number of vacationers and their
spending in 2017 will surpass a year ago's figures. "The mid-year figures
were an encouraging trend," she said.
A year ago, 13.7 million visitors went to Pattaya, spending
200 billion baht for accommodation and different activities during their stay.
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Foreigners represented 65% of all travelers a year ago and
localS 35%. China guests dominated at 2.54 million, followed by 800,000
Russians, 600,000 Koreans, 400,000 Indians and 400,000 Germans.
The number of travelers gather to Pattaya should keep on
increasing as transport networks promote the city in years to come, according
to the tourism official.
The government is promoting U-tapao airport as another
entryway toward the eastern areas and will build a rail link between U-tapao
and Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.
A ferry service has been launched, linkiing it over the Gulf
with Cha-am in Phetchaburi, and another sea link will join Sattahip in Chon
Buri and Koh Chang in Trat.
