Major tourist destinations anticipate an increase in Chinese visitors once the visa-free program for this category of foreign travellers begins on Monday.
Chinese and Kazakh nationals can apply for up to 30 days of visa-free entry into the kingdom through February 29 of next year, it was announced in the Royal Gazette last week after receiving cabinet approval on September 13.
The goal of the policy to win back important international tourist segments is to “quick win” tourism stimulation by lowering entry requirements to increase visitor numbers and stimulate the economy.
At four significant international airports around the nation—Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, and Phuket—the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will host a ceremony on Monday to welcome the first set of visitors without the need for a visa.
A welcoming billboard and cultural performances will be part of the occasion. Additionally, jasmine garlands and trendy pants with an elephant design will be given to the visitors.
Suladda Sarutilawan, head of TAT’s Chiang Mai Office, stated in Chiang Mai that the region anticipated 164 Chinese customers on its first two flights without a visa.
The TAT Office predicted that the 130,000 Chinese visitors to Chiang Mai over the previous eight months will increase to 280,000 over the course of the entire year.
According to Ms. Suladda, if the goal is met, there will be 1.2 million more Chinese tourists in Chiang Mai than there were before the pandemic, or a 20% increase.
According to Provincial Police Region 5 Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Piya Tawichai, officers would also be on the lookout for criminals attempting to use the system to obtain access.
143,225 Chinese travelers have arrived at the Chiang Mai Airport so far this year, bringing in 1.387 billion baht in revenue for the region.
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