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The process of reviewing and implementing this initiative requires strong cooperation among countries in the Southeast Asian region. Agreeing on and implementing a common visa mechanism could enhance flexibility and convenience for tourism in the region. If successful, this common visa area will open up many new opportunities for the tourism industry and contribute to economic development, while further strengthening relations between member countries.
Thailand has launched a joint visa initiative with Vietnam and several other Southeast Asian countries.
According to the Bangkok Post, a single-entry visa, or universal visa, is the most ambitious of Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's tourism initiatives. Tourism is a major revenue-generating industry for Thailand, accounting for approximately 20% of total employment and 12% of the country's $500 billion economy.
A single-entry visa is a type of visa that allows a foreigner to enter and leave a country only once during the visa's validity period, and the purpose of entry cannot be changed after it has been granted.
The single-entry visa initiative is part of Thailand's tourism development plans, a project of great importance aimed at sustainable future growth. Thailand's tourism industry has made a significant contribution to the country's development, providing approximately 20% of jobs and 12% of the national GDP, valued at around US$500 billion. Over the years, the Thai tourism industry has grown strongly and become a vital pillar of the economy, especially in the context of declining manufacturing and exports, traditional sectors of the Thai economy.
The development of Thailand's tourism industry has received strong support from the government, regulatory agencies, and businesses in the sector, aiming to facilitate domestic and international tourism and contribute to overall economic growth.
