The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is hoping to attract one million visitors from the US this year.

Kittipong Prapattong, director of the tourism board’s Los Angeles office, told the Bangkok Post that a strengthening US economy and increased air connectivity would help drive tourism.

If the TAT does succeed in attracting one million American visitors in 2017, it would mark an approximate increase of 11% compared to last year, when about 900,000 US nationals travelled to Thailand.

“The TAT is feeling upbeat that US tourist arrivals will reach one million for the first time next year, given myriad positive factors,” Kittipong was quoted saying by the newspaper.

He hailed a recent agreement between the TAT and EVA Air, which encourages US travellers to fly to Thailand via Taiwan.

“The deal will help boost air connectivity between Thailand and the US market,” he said. “EVA Air alone operates 92 flights a week between the US and Taiwan, which offers easy connectivity to Thailand.”

Agreements such as these are important as there are no direct flights currently operating between Thailand and the US. Thai Airways however, has stated its aim to relaunch its American routes in the near future.