Tourism in Thailand In 1997 there were over 7 million (29) to Thailand. There were (30) independent travelers (up 4.5% on last year) (31) people on group tours (down 4.7%). The largest number of visitors was (32) East Asia. 78% of group tour travellers and 51% of (33) travellers were from countries such as Malaysia, Hong Kong and Japan. The second largest number of tourists (34) from Europe: 14% of group tour visitors and 27% of independent travellers, (35) the largest number coming from France and Germany. The smallest number of visitors was from Africa. 0.4% of group visitors and 0.9% of independent travellers were from African countries, and (36) half of those were from South Africa. There were changes (37) the numbers of visitors from different countries. Visitors from Argentina were up by 53% for group tours and 26% (38) independent travellers. The number of visitors from Bangladesh was (39) there were 70% fewer group tour visitors and 48% fewer independent travellers than last year. The number of visitors from Sweden was up (40) 24% for group tours and 15% for independent travellers. (29)