As Thailand prepares for its high tourism season, the country has made a significant decision to attract more tourists by temporarily removing visa requirements for travelers from India and Taiwan. This policy change will take effect from November 10, 2023, and continue until May 10, 2024.
Thailand has been actively implementing strategies to revitalize its tourism sector, and this latest decision is part of that effort. In September, Thailand removed visa requirements for Chinese tourists, a move designed to welcome back a significant source of visitors. Chinese tourists accounted for 11 million out of the record 39 million arrivals in 2019 before the pandemic.
According to Thailand’s spokesperson Chai Wacharonke, travelers from India and Taiwan will be able to enter Thailand for 30 days without the need for a visa.
Thailand’s tourism sector is gradually recovering, with government data showing that the country welcomed 22 million visitors between January and October 29, 2023. These visitors contributed to a total revenue of 927.5 billion baht, equivalent to $25.67 billion.
The latest data from the Tourism Authority of Thailand reveals that tourists from Malaysia have been the most significant group of visitors to the country in 2023, with over 3 million arrivals. Following closely are Chinese tourists, who were the primary group of visitors to Thailand before the pandemic. As of October 15, 2023, they contributed 2.65 million arrivals.
Thailand’s tourism agency predicts a notable increase in the number of Chinese tourists in the year 2023. They estimate that between 4 to 4.4 million Chinese tourists will visit the country, marking a substantial rebound for this critical segment of the tourism industry.
In a related development, on October 24, 2023, the Sri Lankan Cabinet approved the issuance of free visas to visitors from India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand. This initiative is part of a pilot project that began immediately and will continue until March 31, 2024.
Visitors from these countries can now obtain visas for Sri Lanka without incurring any charges, making it more accessible for tourists. India has historically been the primary source of inbound tourism for Sri Lanka, and this initiative is expected to further strengthen their tourism ties.
As countries in the region make visa-related changes to attract tourists, these measures aim to boost tourism and revive the economies affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Source: Mint Live
