Thailand expects record tourists from Taiwan, India with visa policy

Thailand anticipates a record influx of tourists from Taiwan and India this year, largely due to the recent visa-free policy.

The visa exemption for Taiwanese and Indian tourists, initiated in late 2023, has been extended until November 11, with the allowed stay period increased to 60 days.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reports that Thailand has already agreed on an annual reciprocal visa-exemption programme with Taiwan and India, which is set to start soon.

Sarima Chindamat, the director of TAT’s Taipei office, expressed confidence that the number of Taiwanese arrivals could hit one million this year, surpassing the base-case scenario of 700,000. This would exceed the 2019 figure of 781,674 Taiwanese visitors.

“During the first half of 2024, the visa policy resulted in 533,000 Taiwanese visitors, a 34% increase compared to the same period in 2019, which saw 396,000 arrivals.”

An estimated 18 million Taiwanese are expected to travel abroad this year, surpassing the 17 million who did so in 2019. Popular destinations for Taiwanese tourists include Thailand, Japan, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Vietnam.

Visa exemption

Chindamat highlighted that lucrative market segments include LGBTQ, active seniors, office workers, families, young people, and golfers. The average spending per Taiwanese visitor is approximately 40,000 baht (US$1,100) per trip.

Current flight capacity between Taiwan and Thailand has returned to 2019 levels, offering 1.5 million seats primarily between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Chindamat indicated the TAT’s intention to encourage airlines to establish new routes to cities such as U-Tapao in Chon Buri, Krabi, and Phuket, currently only served by seasonal charter flights from Taipei.

Regarding competition, Japan attracts more visitors due to its numerous flights, shorter distances, and a weak yen.

The TAT’s ambition extends to attracting over two million Indian tourists this year. A subsidy scheme is being offered for Indian meetings and incentive groups during the low season from July to September.

Isada Saovaros, director of TAT’s Mumbai office, mentioned that tour operators are receiving 200 Indian rupees (approximately 86 baht) per guest for groups ranging from 100 to 1,000 individuals, provided the trip duration exceeds four days and three nights.

“In the first half of the year, Thailand welcomed 1.04 million Indian tourists, with an average spending of 38,000 baht (US$1,000) per trip.”

The outbound market for Indian tourists is promising, with an expected 29 million trips by 2025. Saovaros highlighted opportunities for Thailand in meetings and incentives, family vacations, and millennial travellers, who also favour short-haul destinations.

The TAT’s New Delhi office offers a similar programme but with a different rate, providing 300 Indian rupees per person for meeting groups exceeding 100 participants, focusing on northern cities.

Siriges-a-nong Trirattanasongpol, director of TAT’s New Delhi office, estimated that seat capacity for Indian flights this year would recover to 90% of 2019 levels. Competitors for the Indian market include the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam, both offering a similar flight duration to Thailand, reported Bangkok Post.

“Besides major destinations like Bangkok and Phuket, we are encouraging airlines to consider new routes to Krabi and Chiang Mai, and to target Indian tourists from second-tier cities.”