The average review rating of hotels in nine destinations across Thailand has typically remained above the global average over the past 10 years, falling only in 2013, according to international travel site TripAdvisor.
In its latest study released Wednesday, the average review rating for Thai accommodation on TripAdvisor in 2014 reached its highest point in 10 years, at 4.16 points out of a possible 5, and also exceed the global average of 4.12.
Thailand average review rating for Thai hotels was at 4.09 points, well above the global average at 3.78, when TripAdvisor conducted its first survey in 2005. The rating for Thailand has moved upward in all but two years, 2009 and 2013. Only in 2013 was the rating for Thailand below the global average - by just 0.01 points at 4.10 against 4.11.
A closer look at the average accommodation review rating given by global TripAdvisor travellers across nine major Thai cities shows hotels in Koh Samui, Phuket, Bangkok and Hua Hin have consistently had the highest average review ratings.
In 2014, accommodation on Koh Samui earned the highest average review rating of 4.26 out of a possible 5, followed closely by Phuket with an average accommodation review rating of 4.23.
The company said Thailand’s performance is notable as consistently strong results above the global average have been achieved against a backdrop of rapidly increasing tourist arrivals.
In 2005, Thailand welcomed 11.5 million visitors, while 2014 saw almost 25 million people visit the country.
“We are delighted to see such positive results as they emphasise Thailand’s hotelier’s commitment to adapting and improving their service for an incredibly diverse audience of inbound travellers," said Juthaporn Rerngronasa, Tourism Authority of Thailand’s deputy governor for international marketing (Europe, Africa, Middle East and the Americas).