Explore Thailand’s initiative to boost tourism by offering a visa exemption for Indian travelers from November 2023 to May 2024, including a grand welcome ceremony at Suvarnabhumi Airport and plans for sustainable tourism promotion.
Bangkok, Thailand – Marking a significant move to enhance tourism, Thailand has initiated a visa exemption for Indian tourists, effective from 10 November 2023 to 10 May 2024. This exemption allows holders of Indian passports or travel documents a 30-day stay for tourism purposes in Thailand.
To commemorate this initiative, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) orchestrated a special reception at Suvarnabhumi Airport for the arrival of IndiGo Flight 6E 1639 from New Delhi, India. This ceremonial welcome underscored Thailand’s efforts to streamline visa and immigration procedures for international visitors, particularly during the peak travel season.
Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, presided over the event, stating, “This special airport event symbolizes Thailand’s invitation to Indian tourists to take advantage of the tourist visa exemption during the six-month period. The event reflects the Thai government’s commitment to ease visa and immigration procedures for foreign tourists, especially during this high season.”
The event also saw the presence of H.E. Mr. Nagesh Singh, Ambassador of India to Thailand, and Mr. Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and the South Pacific.
This temporary visa exemption, paralleling similar schemes for Chinese and Russian tourists, aims to bolster tourism from India, one of Thailand’s top ten source markets. In the first ten months of the year, Indian tourist arrivals surged by 86% compared to the same period in 2022, totaling 1,302,483 visitors.
With the visa exemption, TAT anticipates welcoming 1.6 million Indian tourists in 2023, generating an estimated revenue of 65.6 billion Baht. Indian tourists typically spend an average of 5,500 Baht per person per day and stay for 7-8 days, contributing significantly to sectors like weddings, golf, and incentive travel.
Mr. Chattan highlighted TAT’s strategy to capitalize on the visa exemption by enhancing collaborations with local tourism stakeholders. Joint sales promotions targeting various market groups such as leisure, women, seniors, and golf enthusiasts are part of this plan.
To further promote Thai tourism, businesses are encouraged to participate in prominent trade shows in India in 2024, including the Outbound Travel Market (OTM) in Mumbai and the South Asia’s Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) in New Delhi.
Additionally, TAT is amplifying its focus on high-value and sustainable tourism in the Indian market. This involves promoting diverse, meaningful travel experiences that resonate with Thai cultural values and sustainability objectives, with special promotional activities tailored for corporate, incentive, and wedding segments.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
![[PR] PR_Ascott and Vimut Hospital_2024](https://www.traveldailynews.asia/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PR-PR_Ascott-and-Vimut-Hospital_2024-400x265.jpg)
