Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry is considering a plan to collect tourism levy from foreign arrivals once inbound flights and tourism activities resume in the country.
Tourists and officers at Suvarnabhumi airport wear face masks. (Photo: www.bangkokpost.com)
Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s Tourism and SportsMinistry is considering a plan to collect tourism levy from foreign arrivals onceinbound flights and tourism activities resume in the country.
Bangkok Post newspaper reported that the levy is set to be 300baht (10 USD) or less per person that could cover pandemic insurance. It wouldbe collected once foreigners arrive in Thailand.
The scheme is part of the 20-year national strategic planthat requires Thai government agencies to have recurring income to sustain andstabilise the national economy.
The levy will be added to the tourism fund managed by thetourism and sports ministry that aims to rebuild and develop domestic tourismsupply chains, as well as offer safety and security protection for tourists.
The goal is to have tourists entering via air travel chargedas a part of their air tickets, but the measure of collection for land and seatransport is yet to be finalised.
Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarnsaid this idea was initiated last year but was delayed because of the pandemic,adding that now is the right time to initiate collection.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand's new target is 16 millionarrivals this year. However, Phiphat voiced his doubt as international touristswill not come back before the fourth quarter.
Compared with the last quarter of 2019, when Thailand served11-12 million arrivals, the new goal is too high amid these circumstances, hesaid./.
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Tourists and officers at Suvarnabhumi airport wear face masks. (Photo: www.bangkokpost.com)
