Thailand, China announce permanent visa waiver for each other's citizens
Starting in March, Thailand and China will permanently eliminate visa requirements for each other's citizens, as announced by Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. He believes this decision will "upgrade the relationship between the two countries." Previously, Thailand had temporarily waived entry requirements for Chinese tourists until February 2024. With that, the country saw a slight increase in foreign tourists in 2023, with 28 million visitors generating 1.2 trillion baht ($34.93 billion) in revenue, according to government data.
Impact on Thailand's tourism industry
In 2023, Malaysia was the top source of tourists to Thailand, with 4.5 million visitors, followed by 3.5 million arrivals from China. This is a significant drop from the pre-COVID-19 record of 39 million arrivals, which included 11 million visitors from China. The permanent visa waiver is expected to strengthen the relationship between Thailand and China, promoting tourism and economic growth in both nations.
Strengthening bilateral relations through visa-free travel
As travel restrictions ease, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand is anticipated to rise, contributing to the recovery of the tourism industry that has been severely affected by the pandemic. This move will not only boost tourism but also foster stronger ties between the two countries, paving the way for future collaboration and growth.
Many countries have announced visa-free transit for Indians until 2024
Iran is the latest country to join the bandwagon of nations allowing visa-free travel for Indians. Last year, countries including Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Kenya waived visa requirements for Indian passport holders. As per Henley & Partners' 2023 Passport Index, Indian passport holders are currently able to visit 57 countries without any problems regarding visa requirements. This list comprises nations that provide electronic travel authorization, visa-on-arrival services, and visa-free travel.
Why are more and more countries offering visa-free travel?
Tourist numbers frequently rise in nations with efficient visa processing or visa-free travel policies because they lessen the trouble and expense of obtaining a visa, which increases the allure of the travel destination. According to experts, it is among the most effective methods of enticing travelers to your nation. They also hope that more countries step forward in announcing visa-free transit for citizens of various nations.
