Windfall for Thai travel agencies from Taiwan’s visa-free rule

[webfact]

Windfall for Thai travel agencies from Taiwan’s visa-free rule



BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s out-bound travel agents are expected to reap a windfall from Taiwan’s recent announcement to ease travel restriction by allowing peoples from Thailand and Brunei to visit Taiwan without visa for up to 30 days beginning August 1.

Mr Surawat Akaraworamat, managing director of KTK Tour Enterprise, said that he expected the number of Thai tourists visiting Taiwan to double as a result of the visa-free announcement.

Meanwhile, Mr Kritchanat Meesamran, managing director of Sun Smile Holiday and Travel Company, predicted fierce competition among travel agents to attract tourists to use their services.

He noted that, previously, applying for a visa to Taiwan is time consuming and this has discouraged many Thais from visiting the country. With the visa requirement lifted, he said many Thai tourists will make last-minute travel plan changes in order to visit Taiwan.

The visa-free rule will be in place for just one year as a trial period to find out the consequences. However, Taiwan’s tourism officials the new rule will increase the number of tourists from Southeast Asia by 280,000 for the one-year period and bringing in an addition of 13 billion Taiwanese dollars in tourism-related revenue.

Mr David Sao, director of Taiwan Tourism Office for Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and Brunei, disclosed that the number of Thais visiting Taiwan has increased 40 percent since this year compared to the same period last year, representing the highest growth among Southeast Asian countries.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/windfall-thai-travel-agencies-taiwans-visa-free-rule/


-- Thai PBS 2016-07-18

[gk10002000]

It seems like a good thing to try. The flights from BKK to Taipei are easy. Not sure why or how many Thais would actually want to visit Taiwan.

[Srikcir]

One man's tea is another man's poison.

Increased Thai tourism to Taiwan will be good for Thai travel agencies. But no good for domestic Thai tourism that is projected to grow only 4% in 2016.

[williamgeorgeallen]

how many thais travel abroad? seems only the top part of thai society have the funds. the rest seem to believe thailand is the best part of the world so why would they want to travel?

[SoilSpoil]

It seems like a good thing to try. The flights from BKK to Taipei are easy. Not sure why or how many Thais would actually want to visit Taiwan.

The Thais I know who've already gone there love it. The Taroko gorge, the superb Chinese food, historical Taipei and the friendly people are very appealing.

Very cheap and quality destination. Only problem can be the smog during the winter season.

[Rhys]

Ngahh.. not going to happen... they have to fill out the form... and they are going to the "other place."

[SoilSpoil]

how many thais travel abroad? seems only the top part of thai society have the funds. the rest seem to believe thailand is the best part of the world so why would they want to travel?

More and more young Thais travel abroad these days. Europe and Japan are relatively cheap.

Your remark that the rest believe that Thailand is the best part of the world is bigoted nonsense of course. The Thais without the funds to travel would love to if they could.

[Roota]

Not sure why or how many Thais would actually want to visit Taiwan.

Lots do, mainly but not entirely Chinese Thais. Taiwan is becoming fashionable these days especially among younger Thais. Like Korea, but half the distance and with a more familiar language, culture, and cuisine.

These days my Thai friends tend to travel overseas more than most of my farang friends here. Times have changed.

Edited July 18, 2016 by Roota

[The Deerhunter]

Oh. Somewhere for all the hookers to go when the lady Minister puts them all out of a job, here! 555.

Edited July 18, 2016 by The Deerhunter

[NongKhaiKid]

Thais going overseas for a holiday ?

Hope K. Popcorn doesn't hear this as her figures on visitor arrivals will go through the roof to counter balance this obvious lie.

[Winniedapu]

This won't last for very long, once the Thai over-stayers and absconders get going (Thais call these people 'Robin Hood's').

Taiwan will learn, as Japan and many others have learned before them, then it doesn't pay to give Thais an opportunity for lawlessness. When this happens the "windfall" will come to an abrupt end.

Winnie

Edited July 18, 2016 by Winniedapu

[metisdead]

A post in violation of fair use policy has been removed.

[Srikcir]

During this year's Songkran festival more Thais chose to travel away from Thailand than stay in the country by an increase of over 30% compared to last year. One of their favorite countries - Japan

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909113-more-thais-choose-to-go-abroad-during-the-long-songkran-festival/

[realfunster]

Good news - another option available where my better half doesn't have to suffer the hassle and expense of obtaining a visa !

A logical step for Taiwan as they seem to have been heavily promoting themselves.There's even one channel on True Visions which is almost exclusively screening Taiwan travel shows/adventure races.

Edited July 18, 2016 by realfunster

[Redline]

I quit reading after 'expected "

[mtls2005]

how many thais travel abroad?

NokScoot fills a 777 four times a week for DMK-TPE with Thai tourist groups, and this was when they needed visas. (The tourist companies can get visas within 48 hours, but now it will be simpler.)

Families/retirees make up the bulk of the tourists to Taiwan. These are short-duration torus, typically 5 day/3 night.

[Narratio]

So an additional 280,000 SEAsian tourists will bring in an additional 13,000,000,000 Taiwanese dollars? Which is an extra 46,400 Taiwan dollars per visitor. The exchange rate is about 32 to the USD so each visitor will spend about $1,500 per person?

I can actually accept that.

The 280,000 may be a little inflated but considering hotel costs, transport, souvenirs etc, the final figure feels right. Can somebody get the creator of these figures a work permit and employment with TAT please? See what they can do with that lot.