Thailand will charge foreign visitors a US$9 entry fee beginning in April, officials said Wednesday, as the country tries to entice tourists back and restore its Covid-damaged tourism sector.
Last year, Thailand's vital tourism industry was slammed by strict entrance requirements implemented to combat the virus, leading to the economy's worst performance in more than 20 years.
According to government spokeswoman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, the additional 300 baht tax would be added into airfares.
Thailand used to attract around 40 million visitors each year before the pandemic, but the country is aiming to modify its tourism strategy to place a stronger emphasis on sustainability.
“Revenues will be used for foreign tourists’ insurance coverage and infrastructure improvement for sustainable tourism,” Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Yuthasak Supasorn told AFP.
Tourism revenues are forecast at US$39 billion to US$54 billion this yr, in accordance to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, round US$24 billion {dollars} of which is predicted from international travellers.
But the tally could rise to 15 million visitors if arrivals from China, India, and neighbouring countries improve.
An estimated 5 million international vacationers are anticipated to enter the dominion in 2022 if present journey patterns stay the identical, in accordance to the ministry’s forecast, down from almost 40 million a yr earlier than the pandemic.
Thailand eased its entry guidelines in the direction of the top of 2021 because it sought to reboot tourism, however modified the laws once more as circumstances of the Omicron variant surged worldwide.
Authorities have prolonged the suspension of a no-quarantine “test and go” scheme till additional discover.
But they’ve additionally prolonged the “Sandbox” scheme, including three southern seaside locations to the island of Phuket.
Under the programme, absolutely vaccinated travellers spend seven nights within the sandbox space then can transfer elsewhere in Thailand, assuming they check unfavorable for COVID-19.
A compulsory quarantine interval of 10 to 14 days is utilized for individuals who will not be absolutely jabbed.
