BANGKOK, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's tourism confidence fell slightly in the first quarter of 2026 from a year earlier as the industry grappled with economic headwinds and a strong baht currency that affected price competitiveness, a survey showed on Tuesday.
According to the survey jointly conducted by the Tourism Council of Thailand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, the tourism confidence index stood at 81 in the January-March period, down from 83 registered in the same period last year.
The reading, based on a nationwide survey of 740 tourism business operators, remained below the benchmark of 100 recorded before the pandemic in 2019.
While the first quarter benefited from a robust high season and major holidays such as the New Year and Chinese New Year festivals, high domestic household debt limited local tourism spending, and air pollution hampered travel decisions, particularly in the northern provinces, the council said in a statement.
The survey indicated that surging global oil prices linked to Middle East tensions have driven up travel and operational expenses.
The tourism confidence index is projected to drop further to 75 in the second quarter of the year as Thailand enters its traditional low season and long-haul travel slows as tourists postpone trips due to the regional conflict, the council noted. ■
