BANGKOK: Thailand saw 10.9 million arrivals between January and Dec. 20 this year, Tourism Authority of Thailand governor, Yuthasak Supasor told an online briefing on Friday.

“The top markets were Malaysia, India and Laos,” he said, adding that arrivals could exceed 11.5 million arrivals for the full year.

The recovery in the tourism sector, which before the pandemic accounted for about 12% of GDP, is crucial for Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy.

Thailand hits 10 million visitors in 2022 as tourism recovers

The government expects 22 million arrivals next year.

“We are also focusing on high-spending tourists and not only volume,” Yuthasak said.