Thailand is taking steps to revolutionise tourism with Prime Minister
Srettha Thavisin's push for a joint-visa programme among countries that
collectively hosted 70 million tourists last year. This initiative aims
to attract long-haul travelers, who typically spend more during their
visits, by streamlining travel within ASEAN nations.
Srettha has actively engaged in discussions with leaders from
neighbouring countries like Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and
Vietnam to implement a Schengen-type visa system.
Modelled after the Schengen visa used in Europe, this initiative
seeks to facilitate seamless mobility for travellers across the six
nations. Similar to the European Schengen Area, where travellers can
move freely across borders without individual visas or the need to pass
through immigration checkpoints, this system would simplify travel
logistics and enhance the appeal of the region to international
tourists.
However, challenges may arise in establishing a Schengen-type visa system within ASEAN due to multilateral policy frameworks.
Tourism significantly contributes to Thailand's economy, employing
20% of the workforce and constituting 12% of the nation's GDP, making
initiatives like the single-visa programme vital for economic growth.
Srettha's administration aims to attract 80 million tourists by 2027,
implementing measures like reciprocal visa waivers with China and
temporary visa waivers for travellers from India, Taiwan, and
Kazakhstan.