Thailand leads push for six-nation visa to lure moneyed tourists

BANGKOK – Thailand is steering an initiative for a joint-visa program with countries that together hosted about 70 million tourists in 2023, as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ramps up initiatives to attract more long-haul and high-spending travellers.

The six South-east Asian nations reported a combined 70 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2023, according to official data. Thailand and Malaysia accounted for more than half of the tally, generating about $48 billion in tourism revenue. The tourism industry is upbeat, with Ms Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, a former president of the Thai Hotels Association, saying “a common visa could entice long-haul travellers to make an easier decision.” The visa validity will need to be extended to 90 days from the usual 30-day period to make it attractive, she said.

If done right, the benefits of visa-free travel will not be confined to tourism alone, as ease of travel would be a boon for business travellers and trade, according to Mr Bill Barnett, managing director of hospitality and property consultancy C9 Hotelworks.

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