As the peak tourism season approaches, Thailand is rolling out the red carpet for Indian tourists. The Thai government recently made a significant announcement, revealing plans to waive visa requirements for travellers arriving from India and Taiwan starting next month and extending until May 2024. This decision reflects Thailand’s dedication to revitalizing its tourism industry and, in turn, boosting its economic growth, which has been grappling with export-related challenges for some time.
Thailand has been actively pursuing measures to attract visitors. In September, the country eliminated visa requirements for Chinese tourists, a significant market that accounted for 11 million of the record 39 million arrivals in 2019 before the pandemic hit.
According to the latest government data, from January to October 29, Thailand welcomed 22 million visitors, contributing a substantial 927.5 billion baht ($25.67 billion) to the economy. The spokesperson for the Thai government, Chai Wacharonke, emphasized that arrivals from India and Taiwan can now enjoy a 30-day stay in Thailand without the need for a visa.
Notably, India has become Thailand’s fourth-largest source of tourists this year, following Malaysia, China, and South Korea, with approximately 1.2 million Indian visitors. This growth in Indian tourism is attributed to increased efforts by airlines and hospitality chains to cater to the Indian market.
Thailand’s ambitious goal is to receive around 28 million tourists this year. The government is optimistic about the travel sector’s potential to counterbalance the persistently weak export performance, which has been impeding the country’s economic growth. This latest visa waiver for Indian and Taiwanese travellers is expected to further bolster Thailand’s position as a top destination for international tourists.
