ROLES OF TOURISM IN THE
THAI ECONOMY
Tourism is one of the worldûs largest
industries and one of its fastest growing economic
sectors. In many countries, tourism is a main strategy
for regional development, as it stimulates new
economic activities. Tourism may have a positive
economic impact on the balance of payments, on
employment, and on gross income and production,
but it may also have negative effects, particularly on
the environment. However, unplanned and uncontrolled
tourism growth can result in such deterioration of the
environment that tourist growth can be compromised
(Creaco and Querini, 2003).
Thai governments have placed great store on
earnings from tourism; spending in support of the
industry accounts for about 3 percent of total
government budget outlays. These expenditures have
supported a range of promotional programs; in the
past decade; for example, there has been çVisit
Thailand Yearé, çThailand: the Gateway to Indochinaé,