Bangkok (VNA/NNT) - The Tourism Authorityof Thailand (TAT) is pushing for an increase in the visa quota for Chinesetourists as demand from China is rising and the sector is recovering.
Currently, the Thai Embassy in Beijing and eight consulates in China are onlyallowed to issue 84,000 visas for Chinese tourists via travel agencies permonth.
TAT Regional Director of Marketing for East AsiaChuwit Sirivejkul said that TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn will meet withForeign Ministry executives next week to discuss the issue.
Chuwit added that the 84,000 visa quota will definitely not meet therising demand as Thailand expects Chinese arrivals to rise to the pre-pandemicrate of 1 million per month.
From January 1 to April 30, 843,920 Chinesetourists landed in Thailand, accounting for 10% of foreign arrivals during thatperiod. The trend reaffirms TAT’s prediction that this year will see 5.3million Chinese arrivals, generating 446 billion baht in revenue for thecountry. Chuwit noted that the number of arrivals will possibly grow to 7million if there are enough flights and a higher visa quota.
The TAT regional director added that from the endof March to late October, 33,843 flights with 6.13 million seats will haveflown between Thailand and China. This does not include the large number ofchartered flights expected from July to October. Apart from getting a visa fromthe embassy or consulates, Chinese tourists can also get a visa on arrival, butit is more expensive and only allows a stay of 14 days. Visa on arrival costs2,000 baht while getting one from the embassy costs 1,200 baht./.
Currently, the Thai Embassy in Beijing and eight consulates in China are onlyallowed to issue 84,000 visas for Chinese tourists via travel agencies permonth.
TAT Regional Director of Marketing for East AsiaChuwit Sirivejkul said that TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn will meet withForeign Ministry executives next week to discuss the issue.
Chuwit added that the 84,000 visa quota will definitely not meet therising demand as Thailand expects Chinese arrivals to rise to the pre-pandemicrate of 1 million per month.
From January 1 to April 30, 843,920 Chinesetourists landed in Thailand, accounting for 10% of foreign arrivals during thatperiod. The trend reaffirms TAT’s prediction that this year will see 5.3million Chinese arrivals, generating 446 billion baht in revenue for thecountry. Chuwit noted that the number of arrivals will possibly grow to 7million if there are enough flights and a higher visa quota.
The TAT regional director added that from the endof March to late October, 33,843 flights with 6.13 million seats will haveflown between Thailand and China. This does not include the large number ofchartered flights expected from July to October. Apart from getting a visa fromthe embassy or consulates, Chinese tourists can also get a visa on arrival, butit is more expensive and only allows a stay of 14 days. Visa on arrival costs2,000 baht while getting one from the embassy costs 1,200 baht./.
VNA