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Published on : Saturday, January 16, 2021
The National Tourism Policy Committee has permitted the proposed guidelines for collecting a 300-baht tourism fee from each international visitor for managing local tourist destinations.
The money will also be utilized to provide insurance benefits to international tourists visiting Thailand.
Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said that each foreign visitor will be charged US$10 (300 baht) per visit.
Mr. Phiphat said that Thailand expects to receive around 10 million visitors this year.
He said that the 300-baht tourism fee would ensure that foreign tourists who fall sick or are injured are taken care of and given adequate medical attention.
The ministry will have to discuss the details with the Finance Ministry and the Office of Insurance Commission.
Of the 300-baht fee, 34 baht is expected to be utilized for the insurance coverage, said Mr. Phiphat.
Tourism permanent secretary Chote Trachu said that the fee collection was expected to start last year, but it was put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said that the National Tourism Policy Committee has evaluated the situation and agreed that the tourism fee collection should start this year.
With a second wave of outbreaks worrying many countries around the world, particularly during the winter months, triggering fresh new lockdowns, Thailand is expected to wait longer – until the second half of this year – to see more visitors fly back into the kingdom and revitalize the already suffering industry.