This is good news for international tourists and is a move expected to boost Thailand's tourism industry, which has been heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The head of the Thai government said that although the tourist fee could generate more revenue, if viewed from a broader perspective, this revenue would not necessarily equal the amount of money earned from tourists' shopping expenses if they did not have to pay the fee. From Mr. Srettha's perspective, the spending power of tourists is the factor that stimulates the economy and creates more revenue for the country.
Tourist spending power is what stimulates the economy and generates more revenue for the country.
When asked about Thailand falling six places to 47th out of 119 countries in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Travel and Tourism Development Index, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin shared the government's plans and commitments to promote the tourism industry.
Mr. Srettha affirmed that the current government, like previous governments, has always considered tourism as an important spearhead industry in generating revenue for the country. He emphasized that Thailand’s smokeless industry still has a lot of potential to develop, thanks to the fact that many of the country’s cities and islands have been recognized as world-class tourist destinations.
Thailand’s tourism industry will continue to thrive in the future. However, the key point now is that the country needs to focus on encouraging and developing new ideas to promote tourism. The Thai government will not only maintain the current achievements but also continuously innovate, improve tourism infrastructure and enhance service quality to meet the increasing demands of international tourists.
Tourism is an important spearhead industry in generating revenue for the country.
Development in all tourism-related sectors, from accommodation and food services to entertainment and cultural exploration, will be a top priority. The government will work closely with local businesses and communities to ensure that Thailand not only maintains its position on the world tourism map but also improves its tourism and travel development index in international rankings.
Thailand will not only overcome the current challenges but also make great strides in the tourism industry, bringing sustainable economic benefits to the country and its people.
