The number of Russian tourists visiting Thailand is projected to significantly jump from 10,000 visits in 2021 to 435,000 in 2022, according to GlobalData. The leading data and analytics company notes that tourism ministers in Thailand must now ensure they can capitalize on this demand by increasing direct flights from Russia and ensuring aspects such as card payments can be accommodated across tourist hotspots. When looking at Cyprus, a top outbound destination for Russians prior to the country’s invasion of Ukraine, visitation to the island nation is projected to drop by 42.6% year-on-year (YoY) in 2022. Thailand could potentially cater for many of these Russian visitors that now deem the logistics of traveling to EU countries too difficult. Ralph Hollister, Travel and Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Thailand is set to fully reopen its borders to international tourists this year with no need for a negative pre-departure PCR test. Additionally, it has not placed any restrictions on Russia concerning the ongoing geopolitical crisis with Ukraine. Although the number of Russian tourists traveling to Thailand is predicted to only be at 29.2% of pre-pandemic (2019) levels in 2022, the aforementioned factors will likely combine to create a staggering 4,421% YoY increase in Russian visitation to Thailand in 2022.” According to GlobalData’s Q3 2021 Consumer Survey, 61% of Russian respondents stated they typically take sun and beach trips, with this type of trip being the most popular for this market. Thailand is world-renowned for its sun and beach product, with locations such…
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