Thai visa waiver for Indians poised to break visitor records

The Thai government's decision to implement a 30-day visa exemption for Indian tourists is expected to drive the number of visitors from India to a record 2.7 million next year, according to Patsee Permvongsenee, executive director of the Asean, South Asia and South Pacific region at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). This projection is supported by India's robust economic growth and expanding outbound tourism, reinforcing Thailand's appeal as a preferred destination. Thailand remains the third most popular overseas destination for Indian tourists, particularly in the leisure segment, with many finding holiday prices competitive compared to premium domestic holidays in India. However, a weaker Indian rupee could dampen outbound travel sentiment among some middle-income earners. High-spending visitors are still prevalent, with Indian tourists spending an average of 6,200 baht per day, or over 36,000 baht per trip. Previous shifts to a Visa on Arrival policy caused confusion and impacted travel demand. Furthermore, some meetings and incentive travel groups have redirected to other destinations like Vietnam due to recent uncertainty over Thailand's visa policy. Vietnam offers visa-free entry to Phu Quoc Island. Approximately 66,000 airline seats per week are currently available on Thailand-India routes. India's rapidly expanding aviation sector is anticipated to boost international travel. To capitalize on peak travel periods, TAT recommends intensifying promotions 6-8 weeks before Diwali and Christmas, which account for about 45% of annual outbound travel. Social media engagement is crucial, with over 500 million active Indian social media users. YouTube, Instagram, and WhatsApp are key platforms for targeting tourists, with 44% influenced by social media and 60% relying on recommendations from friends and family. Family holidays are preferred by 41%, and 41% consider accommodation as part of the travel experience. Emerging trends include a rise in solo and small group travel, with bookings made less than a month in advance. New travel trends also encompass meetings and business travel, luxury experiences, wellness holidays, and experiential travel focusing on local communities, gastronomy, and Muay Thai. To enhance services for Indian tourists, TAT suggests implementing Hindi signage and information materials, offering Indian vegetarian and halal food options, and providing digital payment facilities and flexible booking policies. Information Source: Bangkok Post