The impact of low-cost carriers on inbound tourism of Thailand

Abstract

Outbound tourism primarily concerns air travel due to the limited options for transportation. Many studies related to aviation and tourism have been conducted. However, most studies are in the US and European context, with only a few cases having been studied in Asia. The purpose of this research is to focus on the development of Low-Cost carriers (LCCs) in major Asian nations. Particularly, it aims to study the influence of LCCs on Thailand's tourism. To investigate if LCCs contribute to an increase in Thailand's tourism demand, multiple regression analysis with key indicators is employed using monthly data from January 2013 to December 2017. The findings reveal that LCCs have a positive impact on Thailand's tourism. Furthermore, LCCs are the main factor in Thailand's tourism demand. It is necessary to consider the future development of LCCs and whether LCCs can play an important role in the tourism supply chain in the future. This research also improves the understanding of how LCCs have developed in Asia and become one of the most significant components of leisure tourism in Thailand. © ExcelingTech Pub, UK.