The number of Russian visitors to Thailand is on the rise, and it’s all thanks to a more stable ruble, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
The TAT forecasts Russian tourist arrivals will reach 1 million this year, which is a 13 percent increase compared to 2015.
Russian tourist numbers to Thailand peaked in 2013, when 1.7 million visited the kingdom. Last year, 884,000 Russians visited the country.
Tourist destinations, especially Pattaya which is a popular destination for Russians, were hard hit by the drop in visitor numbers.
The number of Russian visitors began to rise in February and kept growing in March said Tanes Petsuwan, TAT’s executive director for Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
That momentum is expected to continue throughout the year, he added.
In 2013, each Russian visitor spent THB3,800 a day. That amount has risen to THB4,500, or THB300 higher than the European average, reported Bangkok Post.
Despite the lower number of Russian visitors, the TAT has said that the overall quality of the tourists is improving.
Russians now spend more money on spas, beauty-related services and cooking classes.
And, without giving details, the TAT also said their entertainment choices are more varied.
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