Over two million Indians were welcomed into the Kingdom last year
In 2024, Thailand welcomed over 2 million Indian tourists for the first time, marking a significant milestone in the kingdom's tourism industry. This growth in Indian tourist arrivals, which made India one of the top sources of tourists, is a testament to Thailand's strategic approach to attracting Indian tourists.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reported that the kingdom received its two-millionth Indian visitor in 2024, a clear indication of the growing importance of Indian tourists for Thailand. The ASEAN-India Forum, with its theme of "Journey of Opportunities: Ignite Indian Travel to ASEAN," played a crucial role in facilitating cultural and tourism exchanges, supporting promotional campaigns, and easing travel protocols to enhance bilateral tourism.
Recognizing the preferences of modern travelers, especially younger Indians, Thailand's tourism authorities have shifted their focus towards offering unique, personalized, and emotionally engaging experiences. This shift has led to the development of new travel products targeting Indian interests such as wellness, adventure, and culinary tourism.
Despite a slight decline in overall foreign tourist arrivals in early 2025 due to factors like reduced Chinese visitors and regional competition, Indian tourist arrivals remain a bright spot. Domestic tourism within Thailand also remains resilient, providing a stable base for the tourism industry.
Thailand's active participation in ASEAN-India platforms, such as the ASEAN-India Forum, has been instrumental in promoting cultural ties and tourism connectivity. Joint initiatives help Thailand market directly to Indian travelers, using digital campaigns, travel fairs, and facilitation of visa processing to remove barriers.
Santosh Kumar, the country head for the Indian sub-continent and Indonesia at Booking.com, stated that Indian travelers are enthusiastic and willing to invest money and efforts for transformative travel experiences. He suggested that hospitality businesses can attract more Indian tourists by offering value-added deals such as last-minute promotions. According to Kumar, creating such deals can further cement the popularity of a country as a travel destination among Indian tourists.
The ASEAN-India Forum, organized by the TAT in 2024, aimed to ignite Indian travel to ASEAN countries. The forum was held in Bangkok from July 22 to 25, 2024, and was attended by distinguished guests such as Nagesh Singh, Ambassador of India to Thailand. Representatives of Malaysia and other ASEAN countries were also present at the forum, underscoring the importance of regional collaboration in attracting Indian tourists.
In conclusion, Thailand's strategy to attract Indian tourists in 2024 is marked by record visitor numbers, a shift towards experiential tourism offerings, and close collaboration with Indian partners through ASEAN-India diplomatic and tourism frameworks to sustain growth despite regional challenges.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recognized the preferences of modern Indian travelers, resulting in a shift towards offering unique, personalized, and emotionally engaging experiences, such as wellness, adventure, and culinary tourism.
The ASEAN-India Forum played a pivotal role in igniting Indian travel interest towards ASEAN countries, including Thailand, by promoting cultural ties, tourism connectivity, and easing travel protocols.
