Thailand has welcomed 19 million foreign tourists between January and September 17 this year, bringing in revenue of 795 billion baht ($22.26 billion). This indicates a promising recovery for Thailand’s tourism industry. To revive the sector, the new Thai government has approved a temporary visa exemption for Chinese tourists, aiming to attract more visitors, particularly from China.
The government expects to achieve a total of 28 million tourist arrivals this year and is actively targeting an increase in Chinese tourists. The Tourism and Sports Ministry believes that the overall tourism situation in Thailand is improving, and the visa waiver for Chinese arrivals will further stimulate the industry.
The government plans to waive visas for Chinese and Kazakhstani nationals from September 25 until the end of February. Tourism plays a crucial role in Thailand’s economy, and the government is striving to achieve its target of 28 million arrivals this year, with a particular focus on attracting more Chinese tourists.
Additionally, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin plans to visit China and India in order to promote tourism cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations. China has been a significant source of tourists for Thailand, with nearly 11 million visitors in 2019, accounting for 27.6% of all arrivals prior to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Therefore, the temporary visa exemption for Chinese tourists is viewed as a measure to address concerns that the initial target of 5 million Chinese tourist arrivals may not be met due to strict visa requirements. The Thai government’s broader goal is to attract 28 million international visitors and generate $39.2 billion in tourism revenue by 2023, as the tourism industry is considered crucial for the country’s economic recovery.
READ MORE:https://bangkokone.news
