Aviation Leads Inbound Travel as Visa Reforms Pay Off
According to the latest government data, the sustained momentum in the tourism sector stems from highly favorable visa policies, intensified promotional campaigns, and the successful diversification of travel products. While June arrivals dipped slightly by 5.7% from May to 1.68 million, the figure still represents a robust 14.7% increase compared to the same period last year.
Air travel remained the primary gateway for inbound visitors, accounting for 10.1 million arrivals or 82.6% of the total traffic, which is an 11.4% increase year-on-year. Land border crossings saw the sharpest growth, surging 37.5% to reach 1.9 million visitors, while cruise and sea entries contributed 209,000 arrivals, growing by 15.2%.
Read Also
Industry analysts point out that the strategic easing of entry requirements has successfully attracted a more diverse demographic of long-haul travelers. The second quarter alone drew 5.49 million visitors, reflecting an 18.2% expansion compared to the second quarter of the previous year, setting a solid foundation for the upcoming peak travel seasons.
The tourism sector is positioning itself to capitalize on the traditional high season for travelers from Northeast Asia, Europe, and North America during the final two quarters. With enhanced international flight connectivity and targeted marketing campaigns underway, officials aim to hit an ambitious target of 25 million international visitors by the end of the year.