Agoda prepares for tourist boom in India as report shows growing interest from Thais

Multinational travel agency Agoda is preparing for increased tourism in India, as Thais have shown a growing interest in travelling to the country.

Agoda, according to data from their digital platform, has observed a 16% increase in searches from Thailand looking for accommodation in India.

This growth in search volume comes days after the Indian government announced they would waive visa costs for Thai tourists.

From July 1 until the end of 2024, Thai’s will now be able to apply for an Indian e-Tourist Visa free of charge.

An expected tourism boom

Agoda’s data provides an early indication there will be a potential spike in tourism with Thai’s travelling to India.

Without the associated costs of visa applications, it is now more affordable for travellers to visit India in the future and observe its diverse cultural heritage and cities.

Agoda CEO, Omri Morgenshtern, views visa scheme relaxations as an essential driver of increased international travel and tourism.

“When the visa process is easy and when the flight capacity is there, it makes it easy for travellers to get out and explore new destinations,” said Morgenshtern.

“It’s a business of removing friction.”

Thailand-India tourism relations

At the end of 2023, Thailand’s tourism industry suggested visa fee-waiving programmes should be implemented to accelerate foreign arrivals.

These measures would eventually be implemented, aimed at encouraging tourists from population-dense countries such as India and China.

After these announcements, Bangkok became the most searched-for city by Indians on Agoda’s digital platforms earlier this year.

Increasing tourism in Thailand is viewed by both the government and business sector as essential for boosting the Thai economy and helping markets recover effectively.

Starting July 15, Thailand announced visa waivers allowing travellers to enter Thailand visa-free.

The scheme significantly increased the number of visa-exempt countries from 57 to 93, and it permits travellers to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days.

Additionally, the new policy increased the number of countries eligible for a Visa On Arrival from 19 to 31.

Now eligible for the Thai visa waiving scheme, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) revised its previous targets for Indian tourists, from 2.3 million to 2.4 million people expected in 2024.