Tourism operators are calling on the Thai authorities to delay the introduction of a 300-baht tourism payment to offer the sector time to recuperate. The fee is due to take impact from April, with the Bangkok Post reporting that it will apply to foreigners arriving in the kingdom by land, sea, and air.
Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi from the Thai Hotels Association says that while the fee is a relatively small amount, it nonetheless dangers putting foreigners off, significantly those that travel in and in another country regularly. She adds that whereas the concept of the fund is an efficient one, now isn’t the time to introduce it. In doing so, Thailand risks dropping out to other nations.
“If the country desires to welcome back vacationers, the tourism fee needs to be delay until a minimal of 2023 as the sector has to be rebuilt from the ground up because of the Omicron variant.”
ติดตั้งโซล่าเซลล์ที่อยุ่อาศัย from the Association of Thai Travel Agents agrees, saying the fee should be postponed till tourism is again at pre-pandemic ranges and Chinese visitors have returned. With the suspension of the Test & Go entry scheme, he too believes now isn’t the time.
The pleas might fall on deaf ears, nonetheless. Tourism minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn says his ministry has already held talks with most airlines serving Thailand and it’s likely they will attain an agreement by March to include the charge of their fares. According to the Bangkok Post report, Phiphat says tourists arriving by land border will be “encouraged” to pay the charge through an app. However, migrant staff who cross the border every day shall be exempt.
The tourism minister says he’s assured the levy will not deter vacationers as a quantity of different international locations already charge a similar fee. He expects the tourism fund to generate at least 1.5 billion baht from around 5 million vacationers. From that, 1.25 billion shall be put aside to improve tourist sites, such as installing public toilets and creating accessible entrances for the disabled.
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