With the Thai government’s decision to extend visa-free entry for Indian tourists by an additional six months, travel consultants are anticipating increased outbound travel from India to Thailand. Originally set to expire this Friday, the visa exemption for Indian nationals, first introduced last year, has been extended until November 11. Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin made the announcement following a cabinet meeting earlier this week. The program allows tourists to stay up to 30 days per visit. Let’s hear the sentiments of the Indian Travel Industry:
Shiva Kukreja, Director, Rove Routes
The recent extension of the visa exemption for Indian nationals by Thailand is poised to have significant implications for the outbound Indian travel market. This decision is expected to spark increased travel interest among Indian tourists, as the hassle-free access to Thailand encourages more people to consider it as a prime travel destination. Moreover, with up to 30 days to explore Thailand’s diverse attractions, we anticipate a surge in inbound tourism, contributing positively to the country’s tourism-driven economy. The economic impact will be substantial, with increased spending on accommodations, dining, shopping, and local experiences benefiting local businesses. Additionally, tour operators and travel agents in India are likely to witness a surge in demand for Thailand packages, leading to customized itineraries, group tours, and special promotions. Airlines and the hospitality industry will also see a boost, with higher passenger loads and increased bookings respectively. For Indian tourists, Thailand offers not just a one-time destination but the opportunity for repeat visits, further enhancing its appeal. Leveraging this opportunity, the Thai tourism board and private sector can engage in extensive marketing and promotion efforts in the Indian market, highlighting cultural heritage, cuisine, adventure, and relaxation. Furthermore, Thailand’s strategic location positions it as an ideal hub for further travel within Southeast Asia, allowing Indian travelers to explore neighboring countries like Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos.
Shravan Bhalla, Director, High Flyer
Thailand for Indians is a very popular destination. Especially during the Summer holiday season, when clients plan to book themselves, they always look into the cost part, and specifically at this point in time, they tend to travel in 2-3 family groups or more. Taking into consideration the exemption on visa, which is a very intelligent move by TAT, enables the passengers to use that money for the upgrade of hotels, an increase in nights, or other relevant services and tours, making the package more affordable. Besides that, when we expect a huge visa rush all over with a lot of paperwork and a short time frame, last-minute travellers will benefit by booking air tickets and are all set to travel to Thailand, where No visa is required. Over and above the MICE movement, destination weddings and social events will save a lot on it where the number of passengers is higher. So it was a perfect move at the perfect time, alluring more and more passengers to shift back from other destinations to Amazing Thailand.
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Saurabh Tuteja, Director – Ujjwal Creations
In my opinion Visa Exemption is a catalyst in today’s world of outbound tourism. A lot of people who plan their vacation at the last minute always look for destinations which are Visa Free or atleast Visa on Arrival. Thailand has always been a hot favorite destination for Indians. Be it traveling with friends or family, it is always on top of the list. Visa Exemption also has a big impact on the cost of travel to a particular destination. Imagine a family of 6 travelling for a holiday. They end up saving a lot of money, travelling to Thailand with Visa Exemption. Another important aspect is that Indian Tourists are big spenders when they travel abroad. They love to shop and bring gifts for family and friends. Any money spent definitely adds value to the economy. Giving Visa Exemption is like inviting with open arms, a warm welcome a country can offer to any tourist.Thailand has definitely hit the right chord and this will go a long way in improving the tourist numbers from India to Thailand.
Prateek Wadhwa, Director, Dream Trip4U
Thailand has long been a popular destination for Indian tourists due to its vibrant culture, beautiful beaches, and affordable travel options. With easier access and reduced financial constraints, more Indian travellers will choose Thailand for their holidays, leading to an increase in outbound tourism from India.
Kanchan Verma, Proprietor , Sun Air
It’s an excellent move. It will definitely impact the outbound market in a positive way. Visas are often a hurdle when making travel plans. To travel to Schengen countries, you have to plan a month or two in advance, which acts as a deterrent. Often, there’s no surety of getting it in time, and you lose a lot of money. Whereas all countries that have visa-on-arrival facilities are definitely preferred, Last-minute programmes can be made. We often suggest all these countries to our clients, especially now that visas are taking time. Thailand, anyway, is a preferred destination with its beautiful islands, lure of shopping, and proximity to India. Yes, the extension of the Thailand visa waiver is a plus-plus situation for both Thais and Indians.
Rajat Sawhney, CEO, Rave Tours & Travels
India continues to be a leading contributor to tourist arrivals in Thailand . With the summer holiday season approaching, the announcement of an extension of visa-free travel for Indian travellers could not have come at an opportune time. This is expected to accelerate the demand further and would encourage family travel and would also give a boost to MICE movements. I welcome this initiative.
Kunjal Karaniya, Founder, Unplugged Moments
Definitely, the outbound market to Thailand will increase; in fact, when early this year they introduced visa exemption, we saw a huge demand for Thailand, and a lot of travellers were tempted to travel to Thailand rather than other Asian countries, as Thailand offers a good choice of hotel and resort options as well. Also, as Thailand sees major budgeted travellers from India, the visa fees being waived off makes a huge difference, as the visa fee is 2200 Thai baht, which is approx. 5000 INR. Meanwhile, a lot of people these days tend to plan last-minute holidays, so visa-free borders work in their favour.
Rajeev Kale – President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India) Limited
We truly welcome the recent announcement of the Royal Thai Tourism Authority of Thailand that extends the visa-free scheme for Indian passport holders till Nov 11, 2024. What is noteworthy is that together with the positive announcement on free-entry extension by 6 months, the airfares to top Thailand destination like Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi are also either on par with last year or seeing a marginal increase of 5%. The elimination of the visa cost, especially for an Indian family of 4 or ad hoc groups of friends/colleagues is an important consideration – and more so for this value-conscious market. This, when coupled with easy access and the convenience of a short haul flight, is creating growing demand for Thailand – from both our leisure and MICE segments.
Daniel D’souza, President and Country Head – Holidays, SOTC Travel
With our booking windows witnessing significant reductions this year, the extension of free visa for Thailand till Nov 11th will undoubtedly create opportunity for last minute bookers and impulse transactions for the destination. The announcement is witnessing cascading impact for Thailand: our searches are seeing a surge of over 30%; equally, the interest in newer locales like Samui, Chang Mai /Rai, Koh Pha Ngan, Simian Is, historical Ayutthaya/Sukhothai, Kaho Lak, Koh Lanta, etc. While the cost savings is resulting in increased interest from our millennials and GenZ, we are encouraged by the demand for premium stays and resort accommodation from our family and luxury HNI-UHNI segments.
Naveen Nahar, Director, Travelzfactorry
Extending visa exemption, Thailand Tourism has taken a significant step in strengthening ties with the Indian market. As pioneers in the Indian market, they understand its dynamics and the potential impact on Indian travelers. The announcement of visa exemption last year already led to a 15% increase in queries for Thailand. With this extension, we anticipate this trend to persist. Additionally, it sets a precedent for other tourism boards aiming to access India’s growing outbound market. This move will also encourage first-time travelers to choose Thailand over other destinations.