The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has released the visitor figures for 2005 and the numbers are looking good for both property investors and the tourism industry.

The country appears to be a top choice for Brits these days with 2005 seeing an impressive 680,978 Brits making the journey to Southeast Asia and passing through its Borders.

Commenting on the growth of tourists, Khun Tanes Petsuwan, Director of TAT said "The UK and Ireland is now the most important market in Europe. Additional tour operators, new emerging beach resorts such as Trang, Koh Yao, Ko Chang and Ko Racha plus new chic boutique hotels opening almost weekly are all helping Thailand remain an excellent holiday proposition. Tour operators are reporting a good year so far and I expect this to continue throughout the rest of 2006."

At the start of 2006, TAT was hoping for at least 700,000 visitors for the year. So far in 2006, this has already been achieved, and with another five months and the busy Christmas period to go, it looks like the growth is set to continue.

The growth in visitors has coincided with a growth in interest in the country's property market as more and more Brits see the investment opportunities that are becoming available in the country.

Harlequin Property have a number of projects they are currently selling in Thailand and, as a result of the volume of interest they have had, have opened a new office near their Pattaya and Jontein Beach developments.

Dave Ames, Marketing Director Harlequin Property says "Since our grand opening in June this new acquisition has proved invaluable as it has now become a hive of activity in such a short space of time. Thailand is an emerging market with enormous potential and is certainly going to be one of the main overseas property markets in the years to come."

As an emerging market, capital growth in Thailand is running at around 15 per cent a year with the figure set to rise as the country becomes increasingly popular. Land prices have doubled in two years and living costs are around a third of what you would pay in the UK making it an ideal option for overseas investors.

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Read other articles about Thailand:
Thailand property news round-up
Thailand Country Guide
Look east for some property bargains in Asia

Article published on 5 September 2006