US, UK, France, And Australia Lead Thailand’s Tourism Surge Through Increased Travel Spending: New Report You Need to Know - Travel And Tour World (2025)

Monday, April 14, 2025

Thailand’s tourism industry is experiencing a powerful resurgence, largely driven by high-spending travelers from the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Australia, according to a recent Visa report. These countries have emerged as top contributors to inbound travel expenditure, with tourists spending significantly on accommodations, dining, retail, and wellness. Visa’s data also highlights strong transaction volumes from Mainland China and Japan, reinforcing Thailand’s position as a leading global destination in early 2025.

Visa Reports Reveal Thai Travel Spending Trends for Early 2025

Visa has released its latest insights into global travel spending patterns, capturing key trends in both inbound and outbound tourism during the first two months of the year.

Thailand Sees Strong Inbound Spending from Key Global Markets

Thailand continues to perform well as a tourist destination, with travelers from the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Australia leading in terms of spending. Visa’s data indicates that the highest cross-border transaction volumes came from the United States, United Kingdom, Mainland China, France, and Japan.

International visitors are primarily spending on accommodations, dining, retail shopping, medical services, and everyday essentials. Bangkok, Phuket, and Chonburi (home to Pattaya) saw the highest levels of spending, followed by Samut Prakan—boosted by Suvarnabhumi Airport activity—and Surat Thani, where popular islands like Koh Samui and Koh Phangan are located.

Notably, spending at quick-service restaurants has surged across all provinces compared to the same period last year. Chonburi and Chiang Mai experienced the sharpest growth in this category, with a notable peak during the Lunar New Year week.

Thai Tourists Spending Big in Japan, Hong Kong, and the UK

Visa’s outbound travel data shows that Thai travelers are choosing destinations like Japan, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and France. Their top spending categories abroad include department stores, fashion and accessories, general retail, restaurants, and lodging.

In Japan, nearly 30% of Thai tourist spending was recorded at department stores, the highest share among all visited destinations. Spending on budget stores, dining, and groceries also posted strong year-on-year increases—20% and 18%, respectively.

Thai travelers in France and Hong Kong allocated over 30% of their expenses to apparel and accessories. Meanwhile, in China, over half of the travel expenditure went to department stores and retail items. China stood out with the most dramatic year-on-year growth in all major spending areas, particularly fashion, department stores, discount outlets, and entertainment—indicating a rising preference for China among Thai tourists.

Affluent Segments Fuel Domestic Spending Momentum

Within Thailand, high-income and emerging affluent consumers are significantly contributing to growth in in-person spending. Their main expenditures are focused on healthcare, restaurants, retail shopping, home improvement, fuel, and grocery purchases.

Visa also reported a spike in specific growth categories, with spending on professional services doubling year-over-year. Additionally, expenditures on education and government services grew by nearly 30%, showcasing a broader diversification in domestic consumer behavior.