Tourism

Expats should get travel stimulus deals, Thai Hotels president says

Published

Wednesday, August 19, 2020 14:44

PHOTO: Unsplash: Katie Musial

Expats might be included in the next wave of tourism incentives, at least that’s what the new president of Thai Hotels Association is pushing for. Those who live and pay taxes in Thailand should have equal rights as Thai nationals, the association’s president Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi says.

Thai nationals have been able get deals on travel through the domestic tourism stimulus package since mid-July. Those who registered for the package receive discounts on hotels and restaurants as well as rebates on flight tickets.

The plan isn’t working out as well as hoped and locals have been slow to take advantage of the travel incentives. Occupancy levels at hotels remain low and locals seem to want to save their money rather than spend it on a holiday. Nunbhakdi says allowing expats to take part in hotel deals can help fill the rooms.

“We need to treat expatriates who live and pay tax here the same way we treat locals.”

The next wave of the tourism scheme might have more privileges to help boost the economy. Nunbhakdi recommends a tax deduction on tourism spending. She also says the subsidy for accommodation spending should be increased from 40% to 50%. With some hotels struggling to stay open after the coronavirus outbreak, Nunbhakdi says she’s seeking financial support to help save them from closing.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post

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7 Comments

Toby Andrews

Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 2:59 pm

Oh now that special deals for Thais only is not being taken, they want the felangs to have these deals, where they were refused for felangs before.
Will these special deals enable felangs to pay the same fees as Thais to enter national parks?
I doubt it.
Naw, you cannot be racist yesterday, and when it proves to be to your disadvantage change you mind, and not be racist today.
Starve Thais. Your nasty, selfish, racist, attitude is emptying your pockets.

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- Jack
  
  Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 1:43 pm
  
  You’re on here every day bitching about Thailand, I seriously hope you don’t live here because you need to GTFO, or STFU.
  
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Perceville Smithers

Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 3:56 pm

Expats don’t want be anybody’s backup or option 2! They didn’t get an invitation but because no one showed up, you now want to invite them and expect to be able to charge the same price.

I can’t go for that
No can do

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RametinNonta

Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 9:15 pm

Are Farangs still forbidden to ride inter-provincial buses? Are Farangs still refused admittance to Wat Po? You have to go-along to get-along.

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Rinky Stingpiece

Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 3:22 am

“stimilus” lol

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Christopher Bela.

Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 2:00 pm

I can’t see Marisa keeping her job for long. Treating foreigners equally or fairly is simply not the norm in Asia.

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- Tim
  
  Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 2:09 pm
  
  That’s only your view according to your own experience.
  In Europe, museum access if free for all young european travellers, not from people outside Europe.
  
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Caitlin Ashworth

Caitlin Ashworth is a writer from the United States who has lived in Thailand since 2018. She graduated from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and media studies in 2016. She was a reporter for the Daily Hampshire Gazette In Massachusetts. She also interned at the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Virginia and Sarasota Herald-Tribune in Florida.

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