Year in Review: Tourism in Southeast Asia in 2024

The year 2024 saw a significant growth in the tourism sector across ASEAN countries, with the Philippines and Myanmar experiencing more gradual growth. This growth was particularly notable in Indonesia, which welcomed 12.66 million foreign tourists—the highest in the past five years—and Vietnam, which saw a record-breaking 17.5 million international arrivals, up 39.5% from the previous year. 

Thailand continues to experience substantial growth in its tourism sector, surpassing government expectations with over 35 million visitors in 2024. The World Bank predicts the country will exceed pre-pandemic tourist numbers by 2025. Among recent developments, the Thai government proposed a controversial draft…