The world’s most popular visitor destination, Bangkok, attracted more than 780,000 visitors over the festive 2017 New Year period, an increase of 30 percent from last year with over 50 percent international tourists.

Among the top attractions during this period, the spectacular ‘Beautiful Bangkok by Magnolias @ Ratchaprasong’, brought thousands to the Ratchaprasong district of the city. Ratchaprasong has evolved over time to ascend to its current position as the city’s heart, soul and premiere centre for shopping, hospitality, business and tourism.

Mr. Visit Malaisirirat (above) , CEO of Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited, said, “Visitor spending helps to boost tourism revenue and economic growth of the city. We’re delighted to have been able to present ‘Beautiful Bangkok by Magnolias@Ratchaprasong’ as our contribution to the city at the time of Christmas and New Year. It definitely brought a joyful year-end to all visitors who came to Bangkok, home of Magnolias Ratchadamri Boulevard. The lighting performance embodies Thai character and our cultural pride; it highlights Bangkok’s status as an international destination for leisure and business travelers, and also for luxury property investors”.

Ahead of London, Paris and Singapore, the capital city of Thailand had a record 19.41 million visitors in 2016, more than London 19.06m, Paris 15.45m, and Dubai 14.87m, and is expected to have hosted nearly 20.2 million tourists in 2017, according to Mastercard’s annual list.

“We expect visitor numbers in the Ratchaprasong area, where our super luxury mixed-use development is located, will have shown an increase by about 30 percent from 600,000 visitors to 780,000 visitors during the Greeting Festival as they come to shop, celebrate the countdown, and see the stunning 3D light art installation projection. Many will have returned home to cities like Hong Kong and Singapore after appreciating the relative value here and considering Bangkok as a very possible option for investing in property or starting a business”.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), foreign and Thai tourists are expected to have spent some THB 15.56 billion from December 29 to January 2, 2018. Based on air ticket and accommodation reservations, about 420,000 foreign tourists are expected to visit Thailand during the New Year holiday period, an increase of 17 per cent on last year.