Thailand to Launch New Tourism Campaign to Reboot Economy

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered on 12 January the launch of a new tourism campaign under the theme "Amazing Thailand New Chapter," hoping to revive the hard-hit tourism sector.

According to government spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, the campaign aims to facilitate tourism sustainability and safety.

The government also planned to introduce an entry fee of THB 300 (about USD 9) per person for incoming tourists, starting from April this year, Thanakorn said.

This fee will be incorporated in the airfare and is meant to be used to develop tourist attractions as well as for insurance of tourists, he added.

Expected revenues generated from tourism this year are around THB 1.3-1.8 trillion (USD 39-54 billion), with 800 billion of which from foreign travelers, the spokesperson said.

Thanakorn said if this year's pattern follows that of last year, tourists from Europe and the United States would be major contributors, followed by travelers from India, possibly mounting to 7 million foreign tourists.

According to the World Bank Global Economic Prospects Report released on 12 January, Thailand's economy is expected to recover gradually over the next two years, with growth picking up to 3.9% in 2022 and strengthening further to 4.3% in 2023, with a recovery in tourism and travel.