BANGKOK, Thailand - Thailand is rolling out a series of measures to boost tourism revenue, including visa waivers for travelers from more European countries and hundreds of cultural and sporting events.
The Southeast Asian nation, known for its vibrant nightlife, beaches, and national parks, is aiming to restore foreign tourism revenue to pre-pandemic levels, targeting at least 2 trillion baht ($57 billion) in 2024.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has identified a number of key markets for the visa waivers, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland. Tourists from these countries could be eligible for visa-free stays of up to 90 days.
In addition to the visa waivers, the TAT is also organizing hundreds of cultural and sporting events throughout the year. These events are designed to attract tourists during the high season, which runs from November to January.
One of the highlights of the upcoming events calendar is the Thailand Winter Festival, a grand celebration that combines five iconic year-end events. The festival will feature the Loi Krathong festival, Bangkok Marathon, and New Year's celebrations.
The TAT is also working to promote sustainable tourism practices, such as minimizing the environmental impact of tourism and supporting local communities.
The government is confident that these measures will help to revitalize the tourism industry, which is a vital part of the Thai economy. Tourism accounted for 20% of GDP in 2019, before the pandemic hit.
The TAT is optimistic that Thailand can attract 20 million tourists in 2023, up from 10 million in 2022. The government expects tourist arrivals to reach 25 million in 2024.
