Mideast conflict a major roadblock for long-haul marketsTourists enjoy the Songkran festival on Khao San Road in Bangkok in April last year. Varuth HirunyathebAs the conflict in the Middle East weighs on global travel prices and travellers' pocketbooks, tourism operators project long-haul markets in 2026 will fall short of last year's 10 million arrivals. "Tourism arrivals this year could dip even more severely than last year." The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) set a target of 11.6 million arrivals from long-haul markets this year, with total arrivals of 36.7 million. In the long term, Thailand seeks to develop itself as an aviation hub by increasing direct flights to the country, according to the TAT.

Source: Bangkok Post March 05, 2026 00:43 UTC