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Tourism is a major economic factor in the Kingdom of Thailand. Estimates of tourism receipts directly contributing to the Thai GDP of 12 trillion baht range from 9% (1 trillion baht) (2013) to 16%. When including the indirect effects of tourism, it is said to account for 20.2% (2.4 trillion baht) of Thailand's GDP. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) uses the slogan "Amazing Thailand" to promote Thailand internationally. In 2015, this was supplemented by a "Discover Thainess" campaign. ==Overview== Among the reasons for the increase in tourism in the 1960s were the stable political atmosphere and the development of Bangkok as a crossroads of international air transport. The hotel industry and retail industry both expanded rapidly due to tourist demand. It was boosted by the presence of US GIs who started to arrive in the 1960s for ''rest and recuperation'' (R&R) during the Vietnam War. Concomitantly, international mass tourism sharply increased during the same period due to the rising standard of living, more people acquiring more free time, and improvements in technology making it possible to travel further, faster, cheaper and in greater numbers, epitomised by the Boeing 747 which first flew commercially in 1970.〔(Activity 1 | The rise of tourism ). Unesco.org. Retrieved on 16 September 2010.〕 Thailand was one of the first players in Asia to capitalise on this then-new trend. Tourist numbers have grown from 336,000 foreign visitors and 54,000 GIs on R&R in 1967〔 to over 26 million international guests visiting Thailand in 2013.〔 The average duration of their stay in 2007 was 9.19 days, generating an estimated 547 billion baht, around 11 billion Euro.〔(Tourism Authority of Thailand ). .tat.or.th (6 May 2008). Retrieved on 16 September 2010.〕 In 2014, 59% of visitors to Thailand came from East Asia, that is, the nine ASEAN nations plus China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. The largest numbers of Western tourists came from Russia (6.5%), the UK (3.7%), Australia (3.4%), and the US (3.1%).〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.tourism.go.th/home/details/11/221/23044 )〕 Around 55% of Thailand's tourists are return visitors. The peak period is during the Christmas and New Year holidays when Western tourists flee cold conditions at home. In 2014, 4.6 million Chinese visitors travelled to Thailand.〔 In 2015, 7.4 million Chinese tourists are expected, and 8 million in 2016. Thailand relies heavily on Chinese tourists to meet its tourism revenue target of 2.2 trillion baht in 2015 and 2.3 trillion in 2016. During the first half of 2015, Chinese arrivals rose by 111% to 4 million, generating tourism income of 190.91 billion baht, up 138.9% year-on-year. Chinese visitors now account for 20% of all foreign travellers to Thailand. It is estimated that the average Chinese tourist remains in the country for one week and spends 30,000–40,000 baht (US$1,000–1,300) per person, per trip. The average Chinese tourist spends 5,500 baht (US$160) per day—more than the average European visitor.〔 According to Thailand's Tourism Authority, the number of Chinese tourists rose by 93% in the first quarter of 2013, an increase that was attributed to the popularity of the Chinese film ''Lost in Thailand'' that was filmed in the northern province of Chiang Mai. Chinese media outlets have claimed that Thailand superseded Hong Kong as the top destination for Chinese travellers during the 2013 May Day holiday. The huge influx of Chinese tourists has not been without its downside. Locals have complained that many Chinese visitors are culturally insensitive and boorish. This has led the Thai government to publish a Mandarin language "etiquette manual" for distribution to Chinese tourists.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.inquisitr.com/1849277/thailand-to-give-chinese-tourists-etiquette-manuals/ )〕 Domestic tourism has also grown significantly in the past decade. Revenues from domestic tourism have gone from 188 billion baht in 1998 to 380 billion baht (approximately €7.8 billion) in 2007.〔 Asian tourists primarily visit Thailand for Bangkok and the historical, natural, and cultural sights in its vicinity. Western tourists not only visit Bangkok and surroundings, but in addition many travel to the southern beaches and islands. The north is the chief destination for trekking and adventure travel with its diverse ethnic minority groups and forested mountains. The region hosting the fewest tourists is Isan in the northeast. To accommodate foreign visitors, the Thai government established a separate tourism police with offices in the major tourist areas and its own central emergency telephone number.〔(Tourist Police in Thailand ). Amazing-Thailand.com. Retrieved on 16 September 2010.〕 Sex tourism also contributes to arrival numbers. Although officially illegal, prostitution in Thailand is monitored and regulated by the government to stem the spread of STDs and to prevent excesses. Prostitution catering to foreigners is believed to be around 20% of the total prostitution scene in Thailand, and is concentrated in a few major red-light districts such as Pattaya, Patpong, and Patong Beach.〔(The International Encyclopedia of Sexuality: Thailand ). .hu-berlin.de. Retrieved on 16 September 2010.〕 Thailand has been receiving increased competition ever since Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam opened up to international tourism in the 1980s and 1990s. Destinations like Angkor Wat, Luang Prabang, and Halong Bay now contest Thailand's former monopoly in the Indochina region. To counter this, Thailand is targeting niche markets such as golf holidays, or holidays combined with medical treatment. Thailand has also plans on becoming the hub for Buddhist tourism in the region.〔(Outbound travel on the upswing ), 4 May 2010〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Tourism in Thailand」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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