📢 Thailand’s Foreign Tourist Arrivals Surge to 22 million! Thanks to the government’s visa-free policy, Thailand has become a top tourist destination, attracting visitors from Malaysia, China, South Korea, India, and Russia. The government has even bigger plans, aiming for 25-28 million visitors and a boost of 2.16 trillion baht to the country’s revenue. 🌴📈 Let’s embark on a journey to explore the beauty of Thailand! #TravelAdventures #VisaFree #ThailandTourism #TopTouristDestination #Thailand2022 #BeautyOfThailand #TravelGoals
Visa-Free Entry: A Key Attraction
Thailand has recently witnessed a surge in foreign tourist arrivals, with the tally crossing 22 million in the past 10 months. A key driving factor behind this influx is the government’s visa-free policy, reports government spokesperson, Chai Wacharonke.
The policy has not only facilitated smooth travel but has also contributed to attracting a higher number of potentially beneficial visitors.
Top Source Countries for Tourists
There’s a notable diversity in the nationalities of these tourists. According to data accumulated till October 29, the top five countries from where most tourists arrived were Malaysia, China, South Korea, India, and Russia.
The government is optimistic about a further increase in the number of arrivals, as the visa-free policy is set to draw high potential visitors from many countries.
Visa-free Entry for 64 Countries
The policy allows visitors from 64 countries to enter Thailand visa-free for a period of 30 days. Following this initial period, they have the option to apply for an extension of stay.
Visitors from China and Kazakhstan have been enjoying a visa exemption since September 25, a policy which will be in effect until the end of February. During a recent visit to Beijing, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed his desire to make the policy permanent for Chinese travellers.
Expansion of Visa Exemption
In a new development, the government has announced that a visa exemption will be granted to visitors from India and Taiwan. This policy is expected to come into effect from November 10, extending up to May 10.
A Surge in Tourist Footfall
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports notes a significant rise in the number of foreign tourists. From October 23 to October 29, over 505,672 foreign tourists visited the country, a figure higher than expected, attributed to an increase in flights.
The coming week is also expected to witness a further rise in arrivals, with the European cold season underway and more tourists from the continent likely to visit. The visa-free policies for Chinese and Kazakh tourists are also anticipated to positively impact the arrival numbers.
Tourism Targets and Revenue
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has set an ambitious target for the year, aiming for 25-28 million foreign visitors. This robust footfall is expected to contribute approximately 2.16 trillion baht to the country’s revenue.
Comparisons with Pre-Pandemic Figures
The current numbers are a positive sign when viewed against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2019, before the onset of the pandemic, Thailand had welcomed a record 40 million foreign travellers. However, travel restrictions led to a significant dip in these numbers over the past two years.
In 2021, the country saw 11.5 million foreign tourists, with most of them arriving in the second half of the year once travel restrictions were eased. The recent figures suggest a return to the pre-pandemic level of tourist activity.
Keywords: Foreign Tourist Arrivals, Visa Exemption
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the impact of the visa-free policy on tourism in Thailand?
The visa-free policy implemented by the Thai government has played a significant role in boosting foreign tourist arrivals in Thailand. The policy has allowed for a smoother travel experience and has been successful in attracting a larger number of potentially beneficial visitors. The policy allows visitors from 64 countries to enter Thailand visa-free for a period of 30 days, with the option to apply for an extension of stay.
2. What are the top source countries for tourists coming to Thailand?
The surge in Thailand’s foreign tourist arrivals has seen a diverse range of nationalities. As of the data compiled until October 29, the top five countries contributing to this surge include Malaysia, China, South Korea, India, and Russia. The government has expressed optimism for a further increase in arrivals due to the visa-free policy attracting high potential visitors from many countries.
3. What are the tourism targets for Thailand and how does this impact the country’s revenue?
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has set an ambitious target of 25-28 million foreign visitors for the year. This expected increase in footfall is anticipated to contribute approximately 2.16 trillion baht to the country’s revenue. Given the surge in tourist footfall, particularly due to the visa-free policy and its expansion, these targets seem well within reach.
