Thailand Plans to Attract More Indian Tourists by Waiving Visa Requirements
Thailand will be waiving visa requirements for Indian and Taiwanese tourists from next month until May 2024, as part of their efforts to increase tourism during the upcoming high season. This decision follows the previous move to eliminate visa requirements for Chinese tourists in September, who were the largest tourism market for Thailand before the pandemic, accounting for 11 million of the total 39 million arrivals in 2019.
According to the latest government data, Thailand welcomed 22 million visitors between January and October 29, generating 927.5 billion baht ($25.67 billion) in revenue. The spokesperson for Thailand’s government, Chai Wacharonke, stated that Indian and Taiwanese arrivals will be allowed to stay in the country for up to 30 days.
India has been the fourth-largest source market for Thai tourism this year, with approximately 1.2 million visitors, following Malaysia, China, and South Korea. The tourism industry has seen growth from Indian travelers, as more airlines and hospitality chains have started targeting this market.
Thailand aims to attract around 28 million tourists this year, as the new government seeks to offset the impact of weak exports on the country’s economic growth. By waiving visa requirements for Indian and Taiwanese tourists, Thailand hopes to further boost its tourism sector and attract a larger number of visitors during the high season.
