According to a report by Bangkok Post, Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat stated that the government’s plans to exempt tourists from visa-on-arrival fees is unlikely to happen in 2018. In a meeting with the private sector on Thursday, he added that Chinese tourists have already finished their travel planning for the high season this year and will resume their overseas trips during Chinese New Year, which falls in early February. As such, attracting visitors with an exemption during the year-end period may not be very effective.
Earlier this week, Thailand announced that travellers from 21 countries will not need to pay the fees required to apply for visa on arrival. The plan was to take effect in November and December 2018 to woo tourists, including the ones from China. However, earlier today, the Thai authorities backtracked on the plan.
According to a report by Bangkok Post, Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat stated that the government’s plans to exempt tourists from visa-on-arrival fees is unlikely to happen in 2018. In a meeting with the private sector on Thursday, he added that Chinese tourists have already finished their travel planning for the high season this year and will resume their overseas trips during Chinese New Year, which falls in early February. As such, attracting visitors with an exemption during the year-end period may not be very effective.
Besides, even without the exemption, Weerasak voiced his confidence that tourism from China will remain in good health and that Thailand will continue to be a top destination among Chinese tourists.
As an alternative, Weerasak called for the Immigration Office to improve its services by providing better equipment and machines at all entries to facilities visitors. That is because, while 670,000 Chinese submit visa applications per month at mainland consular offices, many of them have difficulty in getting the visa from the Immigration Office in Thailand. As such, having e-visa and e-payment services in place may do a better job at attracting visitors than a fee waiver.