BANGKOK GETS THE TRAFFIC, SINGAPORE GETS THE BUCKS

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport

Bangkok may be the most visited destination in Asia-Pacific among foreign visitors, but it is Singapore where they spend the most. 

The latest findings by Mastercard showed that over the past two years (2015-16), Singapore tracked strong 18% growth in total visitor spending. 

One of only five destinations of the top 20 by total expenditure to reach minimum spending of US$200 (6,926 baht) per day, Singapore attracted the highest-spending visitors at $254 last year, followed by Beijing ($242), Shanghai ($234), Hong Kong ($242) and Taipei ($208). 

Bangkok was at copy45, according to the global payment service company. Spurred by Asia-Pacific’s burgeoning middle class, overall tourism expenditure in the region jumped from copy42 billion in 2009 to $245 billion in 2016. 

Moreover, Asia Pacific’s top 20 source markets contributed $202 billion to the region’s tourism revenue in 2016.

The Mastercard analysis said that last year was an exciting period for tourism in Asia-Pacific.

The growth was driven by rising consumer wealth in Asia-Pacific’s emerging markets, with the region’s thriving tourism industry continuing to show vigorous progress. 

It is the world’s fastest growing for international tourism by GDP contribution, with tourism making up 8.5% of Asia-Pacific’s GDP and 8.7% of total employment last year.

Please read the entire story at Bangkok Post.