The number of tourist arrivals in the first quarter and second quarter of 2009 were 3,64 million and 2,96 million respectively. These figures were lower than during the first 2 quarters of 2007 or 2008. In the third quarter of 2009 we see that the number of visitors is similar to the number of visitors in both 2007 and 2008, suggesting that the worst was over. In the 4th quarter of 2009, we saw more arrivals than in 2007 and 2008. See the yellow line crossing over in the graph below.
The first quarter of 2010 saw a significant increase of tourist arrivals, especially in January and February.
Related to the political disturbances during April and May 2010, the second quarter arrivals of 2010 were low (but not much lower than in the second quarter of 2009, which also was characterized by riots and demonstrations. However, tourism rebounded strongly during the third and fourth quarter of 2010, with arrivals higher than in any of the preceding years. The highest number ever of arrivals is in the most recent period:
The first quarter of 2011 (at 5.33 million visitors). The second quarter of 2011 saw a 50% increase when compared to the second dismal quarter of 2010.
The statistics show that Thailand missed out on between 1 and 2 million extra visitors in both 2009 and 2010.
Total arrivals for 2010 where the highest on record, despite the serious political disturbances in the second quarter of that year. Except for the second quarter, the rest of the years stats’ show numbers higher than any year, so far.
It is interesting to see that negative factors seem to loose influence in just 2 to 3 months at a time, with visitors resuming their interest in Thailand as a tourist destination thereafter.