Thailand’s new Prime Minister is looking to increase tourism revenue by easing visa rules and allowing longer stays for visitors from China and India. The current visa application process for Chinese tourists is expensive and complicated, while Indian travelers have to pay for a visa upon arrival. The government aims to generate 3.3 trillion baht from foreign tourists next year. However, the return of Chinese visitors has been slower than expected due to strict e-visa requirements and China’s economic situation. The tourism sector is calling for additional measures such as more flights and longer visas to attract more tourists. The Thai government is considering streamlining the visa application process for Chinese tourists to make it more affordable and convenient. Nomura Holdings Inc. predicts that foreign tourist arrivals will reach around 30 million in 2023, an increase from 11.2 million in the previous year. Despite China being the largest source of travelers last month, the return of Chinese tourists to Thailand has been lower than expected. Before the pandemic, around 28% of Thailand’s foreign arrivals were from China, contributing to 1.9 trillion baht in revenue.
Thailand plans to Boost Tourism Revenue by Easing Visa Rules – Thailand News
