Thailand’s suggestion to reduce visa-free visits for travelers from 93 nations to just 30 days has elicited varied responses within the tourism sector.
Thailand, where the economy significantly depends on tourism, revealed the plan earlier this week.
The aim is to prevent the abuse of this policy for conducting illicit commercial operations, as stated by Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong.
Several experts within the industry believe that the decrease is not expected to considerably harm incoming tourism. EuroNews reported.
According to data from ForwardKeys, just 7% of reservations made for travel to Thailand in January and February this year were scheduled for stays exceeding 22 nights.
Several hotel owners in Phuket, the renowned island resort, mentioned that this policy adjustment wouldn’t impact their business since most European visitors usually only remain for up to fourteen days. Bangkok Post reported.
The president of the Phuket Tourist Association, Thanet Tantipiriyakit, stated that his members were supportive of the government's recent action, as they had been actively pushing for this decrease.
Tourism stakeholders are unconcerned because other visa alternatives continue to be accessible for individuals wanting an extended stay, he mentioned.
However, some individuals were concerned that this alteration might adversely affect tourism, particularly since Thailand is already struggling with these issues. concerns over safety among travelers from China Following the well-publicized abduction of actor Xing Xing in January and increasing rivalry from nearby nations such as Vietnam.
Bloomberg Intelligence analysts noted in a recent report that the possible policy adjustment compounds the pressures facing the industry, which also include safety worries for Chinese tourists and more constrained spending among travelers from North America and Europe.
Suksit Suvunditkul from the Thai Hotels Association voiced doubt regarding the efficacy of this new policy in combating unlawful actions committed by non-citizens, suggesting instead that authorities implement additional effective methods for screening tourists.
Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, who serves as the deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas at the Tourism Authority of Thailand, mentioned that approximately 200,000 travelers from visa-exempt nations used to apply for visas each year before the implementation of the visa-free entry policy last July.
Should the authorities decide to reduce the duration of visa-free stays, this would affect those individuals who have enjoyed the longer periods of residence.
Thailand’s fresh initiative coincides with nearby nations hurriedly implementing more lenient travel regulations to woo back tourists.
Starting from March 1, Vietnam has permitted visitors from Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland who are part of organized group tours to enter without a visa for up to 45 days, expanding the roster of countries whose citizens can benefit from this policy. 25 countries already enjoying visa-free access.
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