BANGKOK, Thailand – Minister of Tourism and Sports Artthakorn Sirilatthayakorn chaired a high-level meeting on March 9, 2026, to assess the impact of unrest in the Middle East on tourism and to provide urgent assistance to affected travelers. Senior executives and relevant agencies attended the session at the Government Complex to evaluate international travel trends and coordinate emergency response protocols.
The meeting reviewed tourism performance for January and February 2026, noting that Thailand welcomed over 6.54 million foreign tourists and generated approximately 320 billion Baht in revenue. Although overall numbers declined slightly year-on-year, markets in Europe and the Middle East experienced greater slowdowns due to regional unrest and disrupted flight paths.
Relevant agencies provided updates on flight cancellations, route adjustments, and measures to assist tourists experiencing difficulties returning home. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is coordinating with aviation authorities, immigration officials, and tourism agencies to ensure ongoing support for affected travelers.
Assistance measures include working with airlines, providing information and support through Tourist Assistance Centers (TACs) at major airports, coordinating with immigration authorities for visitors who need to extend their stay, and encouraging hotel operators to offer flexible accommodation rates for tourists unable to depart as scheduled.
The ministry emphasized that these measures are intended to ensure visitor well-being and maintain confidence in Thailand as a safe and welcoming destination. (NNT)
