As workloads for authorities implementing the measure are expected to increase, the proposed visa-free scheme for Chinese visitors, commonly regarded as a powerful short-term tourism signal, may be brought up at the first case conference this week.
Since the new officials took their oath of office, the topic has been brought up for discussion at the first case conference.
According to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday, this attests to the administration’s dedication to promoting commerce, one of the top foreign exchange workers in the nation.
Prior to its release on October 1, more specifics are anticipated to be fleshed out during the government meeting. His comment was made as major tourist destinations prepare for the upcoming card discharge for Chinese guests.
An upbeat statement
The legislation to encourage the arrival of Chinese visitors, who make up a sizeable portion of foreign visitors, has received positive feedback from the tourism industry.
Mr. Srettha, who prioritizes tourism as a catalyst for economic development, is trumpeting the trigger. Touring Phuket was one of his earliest assignments as leading in order to gain first-hand knowledge of the tourism landscape.
In order to short-term promote the tourism industry, he has outlined a transitory visa-free plan for Chinese guests. It is anticipated that it will remain in place until the first fourth of the following year, when the peak tourist season ends.
After being brought to its knees by more than three decades of the Covid – 19 pandemic, the business needs a shot in the arm.
Given that the nation has previously granted a visa-fee release to Chinese tourists, the policy is seen as the largest revitalization measure to date.
The head of the Phuket immigration business, Pol Col. Thanet Sukkachai, stated that the company had no issues with the visa-free policy.
The office oversees the so-called” light accommodation” program, which monitors where visitors are staying in the island province and fosters closer ties between locals and tourist attractions.
a heavier task
The treatment of foreign guests is directly the responsibility of the tourist police. Local authorities will intervene, though, to assist customers in resolving any problems with immigration expirations or extensions.
” Once the visa-free legislation is implemented, we will be working harder.”
It goes along with the place of luring in more foreign visitors by loosening some of the regulations, according to Pol Col Thanet.
He continued by saying that the legislation requires more work that state authorities must complete.
At 60, 000 last month, Taiwanese tourists made up the majority of foreign tourists to Phuket, followed by Russians and Australians. Last month, Phuket welcomed 300,000 international customers.
According to the head of the immigration department, the regulators have been successful in preventing crimes and offering assistance to tourists when and how they need it by making visitors identifiable.
Phuket’s development as a target of the highest caliber has been fueled by the system.
A visa waiver, according to the Immigration Bureau( IB ) last week, could open a door for call center gang operators, illegal businesses, and other transnational criminals to enter the nation.
The agency added that as it tries to apprehend these elements once they arrive in the nation, its workload will increase.
It is feared that the policy would make emigration counter congestion worse.
Governor Nirat Pongsitthithaworn of Chiang Mai stated yesterday that state firms were gathering information on the advantages and disadvantages of regional tourism as well as how to foster industry growth.
The country’s tourism is returning to levels that were adjacent to pre-pandemic.
Chiang Mai made 63 billion ringgit from tourism in the first eight weeks of this year.
According to the government, that number is expected to increase to 80 billion ringgit with 8.8 million tourist arrivals before the year is over.
According to Mr. Nirat, steps are being taken to increase confidence in order to combat the unfavorable perceptions of Thailand that have caused some people to be hesitant to go, particularly in terms of security.
The visa-free program may be helpful in picking up the sluggish arrival of Chinese tourists.
The card cancellation had also significantly boost vigor, according to Kemchart Somjaiwong, honorary chairman of the Khon Kaen chamber of commerce, as October 1 falls during the protracted week commemorating China’s national holiday.
Up until the New Year, the next quarter of the year is usually a busy time for tourism.
While serving as a hospitality funds generator, the visa-free policy would also necessitate more thorough screening of visitors.
According to Mr. Kemchart, post-pandemic international guests typically visit the main tourist provinces.
In order to distribute income more fairly, he advised the authorities and tourism companies to promote different provinces.
That would guarantee that the advantages of the visa-free and nbsp opening would gradually spread to those working in the commercial tourism sector.
He continued by saying that China should reciprocate the visa-free plan.
fixing unfavorable promotion
In the meantime, Soratheproj Pojanarat, the Thai Sang Thai Party’s deputy spokesman, urged the government and the Thailand Tourism Authority( TAT) to act swiftly to correct the bad press surrounding the country’a traveler safety issue.
If left unresolved, the issue will have a negative long-term effect, he said, adding that health concerns appear certain to survive the visa-free program.
According to Adith Chairattananon, honorary secretary-general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents( Atta ), removing the red tape from visa applications typically results in an 8.1 % increase in travel, whereas a visa waiver doubles that number. He was citing World Travel and Tourism Council statistics for 2017.
The results are significant because 80 % of international travelers make the trips with a visa on arrival( VOA ).
In the final quarter of this year, he predicts that the visa-free scheme was attract between 500, 000 and 700,000 more Chinese visitors.
The IB will need to run a successful immigration control system to avoid congestion at borders check-in items when this estimate is implemented, he said.
The planned visa-free plan has been well received in China, according to Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, TAT lieutenant governor for marketing connections.