In the lead up to the New Year, Thailand will announce new measures to woo tourists back to the country this month, especially those from China, Thai Deputy Prime Minister, Somkid Jatusripitak said.
A tax measure for jewellery purchases, a tourism package with free flights to second-tier tourist provinces, and a waiver for visa-on-arrival are some of the measures Somkid mentioned which will be adopted to woo return of tourists.
The planned exemption will include the 2,000-baht visa-on-arrival fee, along with double-entry visas.
“The cabinet would approve a stimulus package, in the second half of Nov. It would be effective until the end of Dec,” said Somkid.
He added, “The measures would involve the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Finance Ministry and Thai Airways International.” The measures would target mainly Chinese tourists.
Keeping the overall pace of visitor growth near a 16-month low, Travellers from China slid 12 percent in Aug, the biggest drop in more than a year. This drop was seen after a tour boat capsized off Phuket in July, which killed 47 Chinese tourists.
