Anti-government protesters stormed Thailand's main airport and disrupted flights on Tuesday, the latest escalation in six-month street campaign that has hurt the country's tourist-dependent economy.

Following are facts about tourism in the Land of Smiles:

Sun-soaked beaches, ornate Buddhist temples and Bangkok's exotic nightlife make Thailand one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, luring 14.5 million visitors last year.

The country's tourism authority hoped to reach 15.5 million this year and 16 million in 2009, but expectations are already being lowered due to a looming global economic recession.

The average foreign tourist stayed for 9 days in 2007 and spent over 4,000 baht (S$174) a day, earning the South-east Asian country over US$15 billion.

Japan and Malaysia provide the most visitors, while Britain is the biggest Western market. Tourism officials are targeting the Middle East and Eastern Europe as potential growth markets.

During an upsurge in protests two months ago, nearly two doezen countries issued warnings to their citizens to avoid traveling to Thailand, leading to scores of cancellations.

Other factors affecting tourism include sporadic outbreaks of bird flu, a territorial dispute with Cambodia and prolonged violence in Thailand's predominately Muslim deep south. -- REUTERS