As the peak tourism season approaches, Thailand has welcomed Indian tourists with good news. The Thai government has made the decision to waive visa requirements for travelers from India and Taiwan, starting from next month until May 2024, as announced by a government official on October 31.
This latest move by Thailand is a part of the government's ongoing efforts to boost tourism in the country and, in turn, stimulate its economic growth, which has been facing challenges due to weak export-related factors for a considerable period.
In early September, Thailand eliminated visa requirements for Chinese tourists, who were the largest group of visitors to Thailand before the pandemic, with 11 million out of the record 39 million arrivals in 2019.
According to the most recent government data, from January to October 29, Thailand welcomed 22 million visitors, contributing 927.5 billion baht ($25.67 billion) to the economy.
Spokesperson Chai Wacharonke noted that arrivals from India and Taiwan are allowed to enter Thailand for a 30-day period. It's worth mentioning that India has been the fourth largest source market for Thailand's tourism this year, following Malaysia, China, and South Korea, with approximately 1.2 million arrivals.
Inbound tourism from India has shown signs of growth, with more airlines and hospitality chains targeting this market. Thailand is aiming for approximately 28 million arrivals this year, with the government optimistic about the travel sector's potential to counterbalance the ongoing challenges of weak exports, which have been impacting the country's economic growth.
