Visa exemptions yet to prove effective for Thailand’s tourism
Despite the offer of visa exemptions, the numbers of Chinese, Taiwanese and Indian tourists to Thailand have yet to record a quick recovery because of several economic factors, according to Thai tourism operators.
Bangkok (VNA) – Despite the offer of visa exemptions, the numbers of Chinese,Taiwanese and Indian tourists to Thailand have yet to record a quick recoverybecause of several economic factors, according to Thai tourism operators.
Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, former president of the Chon BuriTourism Council and group executive director of Sunshine Hotels and Resorts, saidthe Thai government granted visa exemptions for Chinese visitors from September25, but the impact of this strategy has been muted as some Chinese viewThailand as unsafe and the mainland has posted weak economic growth.
The slow resumption of flights has also affectedtravel to Thailand, Thanet said.
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Southeast Asiannation welcomed 283,179 and 290,911 Chinese visitors in September and October,respectively.
As of November 7, the country served 2.84 million Chinese tourists, while thosefrom Taiwan (China) and India totalled nearly 596,000 and 1.31 million,respectively.
Thanet said it is unlikely the Chinese market will reach 4 million arrivalsthis year. Thailand has set the target of 5 million Chinese visitors for 2023.
💎 Prachoom Tantiprasertsuk, chairperson formarketing at the Thai Hotels Association said the impact from the visaexemptions might be more evident during the second quarter of 2024 as morecorporations and tourists opt for Thailand because of this entry privilege./.
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Illustrative image (Photo: //www.dimsumdaily.hk/) 
