Guidelines for Promoting Passenger Tourism at Secondary City Airports in Thailand

Abstract

The article 'Guidelines for Promoting Passenger Tourism at Secondary City Airports in Thailand' has the following objectives: to study guidelines for promoting tourism in secondary cities in Thailand from various perspectives. It is found that tourism serves as a significant contributor to Thailand's economy, accounting for 10-20 percent of the GDP, with a notable share of approximately 3 trillion baht predominantly sourced from foreign tourists. However, this income is largely concentrated in a select few primary cities, fostering spatial inequality across only 15 provinces including Bangkok, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Surat Thani. These cities collectively generate 88 percent of the total tourism revenue. Despite this concentration, the presence of over 55 secondary cities and 21 airports overseen by the Department of Airports, Ministry of Transport, offers potential for wider distribution of tourism-related income.
The airports include: Northern region: Nan Nakhon Airport, Pai Airport, Phitsanulok Airport, Phetchabun Airport, Phrae Airport, Mae Sot Airport, Mae Hong Son Airport, Lampang Airport ,Northeastern region: Nakhon Phanom Airport, Buriram Airport, Roi Et Airport, Udon Thani Airport, Ubon Ratchathani Airport, Sakon Nakhon Airport, Loei Airport ,Southern region: Chumphon Airport, Trang Airport, Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport, Narathiwat Airport, Ranong Airport, Betong Airport, Yala Province These airports cater to a substantial number of travelers annually. In 2022, passenger numbers surpassed 9,735,881, demonstrating a growing trend, further reinforced by a significant increase to over 5,924,591 passengers during the first five months of 2023. This escalating trend is expected to yield substantial economic implications. The Department of Airports has outlined plans for continual airport development spanning 2025-2027, signifying imminent transformation and contributing significantly to tourism promotion efforts in Thailand. The results of the study identified three key travel trends: Cultural Tourism, Natural Tourism, and Health Tourism. They highlight the significant role of secondary city airports in facilitating convenient travel, particularly within provinces possessing their own airports.