Extending the tourist season in Thailand

The traditionally high tourist season in Thailand was from November to March, when the weather is most comfortable for a beach holiday, and peak dates fall on New Year, Chinese New Year and February holidays. However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable extension of the season: in October, a steady flow of tourists has been recorded, and active demand remains until the end of April.

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New sources of demand

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One of the key factors in extending the season was the increase in the number of travelers from the Middle East and Central Asia. Tourists from these regions are increasingly choosing Thailand due to the year-round availability of flights, improved infrastructure and the growing popularity of beach holidays before and after the peak season.

There is also an increase in the number of European and American tourists who come during the so-called “moderately busy months” (April-May and September-October) to avoid overloading resorts on the most popular dates.

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Changing the format of the vacation

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Along with classic beach holidays, themed trips are gaining more and more popularity:

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• wellness tours and detox programs that are active in October—November and March—April;
• yoga and meditation retreats that are in demand in secluded parts of Phuket and Koh Samui;
• yachting and sea expeditions to the Andaman Sea, whose season lasts longer than traditional beach tours.

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The impact on bookings

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Tourism market experts predict that by 2026, the period of active tourism in Thailand will be almost year-round. This means that:

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• early booking will become the norm for the premium segment;
• there will be new offers in less busy months — thematic tours, gastronomic festivals, sporting events;
• Travel agencies should form a pool of reliable accommodation and yachting partners in advance to guarantee customers access to exclusive services at any time of the year.