Visa exemption for Chinese travellers to boost Thailand's tourism revenue

BANGKOK - The visa exemption for Chinese tourists to Thailand is expected to generate a tourism income of around 92.58 to 140 billion baht (100 baht = RM13.08) in five months.

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in a statement said Chinese nationals will be granted a temporary visa exemption for a 30-day stay for the purpose of tourism in Thailand from Sep 25 until Feb 29 next year.

"During the five-month visa exemption period, Thailand is expected to welcome 1,912,000 to 2,888,500 Chinese tourists - a year-on-year growth of about 41 and 62 per cent - and generate a tourism income of between 92.58 and 140 billion baht,” it said.

Besides the Chinese travellers, Kazakhstani will also be granted a temporary visa exemption for a 30-day stay.

TAT said Thailand has forecast arrival of 129,485 Kazakhstani tourists - a 49.73 per cent increase over the same period last year - and 7.93 billion baht in revenue.

Meanwhile, Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol said the stimulus visa scheme forms part of the government’s quick-win measures announced to achieve the long-term goal and boost the Thai economy through travel and tourism.

"It will help stimulate inbound travel from China, which is one of Thailand’s key source tourist markets, and Kazakhstan, which is considered an emerging market, especially during this coming high tourist season.

"Ultimately, it will help revive Thai tourism and reach the revenue target set for this year,” she said.

Governor of TAT, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, said the ease of travelling policy will enable tourists to save time and spending on visa application and fee, making it easier for tourists to decide to travel to Thailand.

"With the visa exemption scheme, Thailand could expect to welcome between 4.04 and 4.4 million Chinese tourists in 2023 and achieve the forecast revenue target of 257,500 million baht,” she said.

From Jan 1 to Sept 10 this year, Thailand recorded 2,284,281 Chinese visitors, making China the second largest source of tourist markets after Malaysia.

Without the visa exemption scheme, Thailand is expected to see 3,470,430 Chinese visitors in 2023 - about 31 per cent of the recorded year in 2019 - and generate 174,358 million baht.

The visa exemption scheme takes effect just ahead of the Golden Week, one of the longest holidays in China, from Oct 1 to 8.

During the week-long holiday in China, airlines have announced their readiness to operate charter flights, increase flight frequencies, and introduce new routes between cities in China and Thailand including Chengdu - Samui, Beijing - Chiang Mai, Guangzhou - Chiang Mai, Shanghai - Chiang Mai, Shanghai - Phuket, Guangzhou - Phuket, and Kunming - Hat Yai.

Meanwhile, Thailand expects the visa exemption scheme to help reach 180,000 Kazakhstani tourists by the end of this year.

From Jan 1 to Sept 10 this year, Thailand saw a record 108,636 tourists from Kazakhstan.

Phuket is the favourite destination among Kazakhstani tourists.

TAT said the visa exemption scheme extended to Chinese and Kazakhstani tourists is expected to help revive Thai tourism and achieve this year’s target of 25 and 30 million tourists and 2.38 trillion baht in revenue. - BERNAMA