The country has taken another bold move to ensure that tourists stay on in the country for extended periods and continue to lift the economy. To revitalise the sector, Thailand Tourism Authority (TAT) is now extending visa stays for tourists, students, and remote workers, along with improving visa conditions for retirees.
The government recently approved granting 60-day stays for travellers from 93 countries, up from 57 nations, with extended visa on arrival eligibility.
Additionally, postgraduate students can now extend their visa by an extra year post-graduation. Subsequently, retirement visa insurance requirements have also been eased in the country.
Also read: Thailand shuts Koh Pling island for tourists due to extensive coral bleaching
The move is expected to boost the tourism sector, which has been a pivotal economic driver for Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy. By extending stay limits and enhancing visa terms, Thailand’s moves could attract more visitors, especially from primary markets like India. The validity of “digital nomad” visas for self-employed remote workers will stretch to five years, with each stay capped at 180 days. The country’s tourism authority is looking to attract 40 million foreign tourists in 2024 and extending it revenues to 3.5 trillion baht from 1.91 trillion baht in 2019.
Koh Pling, popularly known as Pling Island in Thailand, and the coral reefs encircling the Sirinart National Park in Phuket have been temporarily closed for tourists. Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) announced recently. The temporary shut down of the island follows the alarming discovery of extensive coral bleaching by Thai authorities.
Meanwhile, to cater to the growing visitor footfalls, Minor International PCL, one of Asia’s largest hospitality groups, announced in end-2023 that it aimed to add 250 properties to its global hotel portfolio over the next three years, as the revival of outbound Chinese travellers to Thailand highlights the strong recovery of the global tourism sector.
The expansion, most of which will kick in after this year, comes as Bill Heinecke, chairman of the Bangkok-based company, said he expects “extraordinary” 2023 results and an even better performance this year. The Thai government’s tourism-promotion measures such as visa waivers and an extension of operating hours for entertainment venues have been crucial to growth in Minor’s home market.
Also read: Thailand plans visa waivers, mega events To attract more tourists and lift revenues
Tourism-reliant Thailand is lining up hundreds of cultural and sporting events, and may waive visa requirements for travelers from more European countries, as it works to induce holidaymakers to stay longer and spend more.
