Thailand is allowing visa-free entry for tourists from India and Taiwan from November 10 to May 10 in a bid to attract more visitors during the high season. The country is also considering a permanent visa exemption for Chinese tourists to increase arrivals. Thailand’s tourism sector, which heavily relied on Chinese visitors before the pandemic, hopes to offset weak exports and stimulate economic growth through the travel sector. However, recent incidents may discourage Chinese visitors, leading some companies to focus on attracting Indian tourists.
Thailand Implements Visa Exemption for Indian and Taiwanese Tourists
Thailand has announced that it will allow tourists from India and Taiwan to enter the country without a visa from November 10 to May 10. This move aims to attract more visitors during the high season and boost the country’s tourism industry. China, India, and Taiwan are important source markets for Thailand, and the government expects a significant increase in Chinese tourist arrivals in the coming years.
Hopes for Increased Tourism from India and Taiwan
Thailand’s Tourism Authority had hoped that India and Taiwan would be the next countries to receive visa waivers after China. India is currently the fourth largest source market for tourism in Thailand, and the government sees the travel sector as a way to stimulate economic growth and offset weak exports. With the visa exemption for Chinese tourists already in place, Thailand is making efforts to recover the significant numbers of Chinese visitors it had before the pandemic.
Challenges in the Tourism Sector
Thailand’s tourism sector heavily relied on Chinese visitors, with over 10 million Chinese tourists visiting the country annually. However, recent incidents, such as a shooting in a Bangkok shopping mall, may discourage Chinese visitors. As a result, some companies are shifting their focus to Indian tourists to compensate for the decline in Chinese visitors. The Thai government is determined to recover and grow its tourism industry, implementing measures like visa exemptions and the removal of visa fees for Chinese tourists.
Source : Thailand to extend visa exemption for tourists from India and Taiwan