Thailand Is Likely To Impose A Tourism Fee In 2022

Come 2022, and Thailand is likely to impose a THB 500 (roughly INR 1,100) tourism fee on visitors. Here’s what we know so far. By Anushka Goel

Thailand’s tourism industry has faced a slump due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now, as the country has reopened its borders for fully vaccinated passengers, Thailand is likely to impose a controversial rule—a tourism fee. Bangkok Post reports that Thailand‘s Tourism and Sports Ministry is set to start collecting this THB 500 (INR 1,100) fee for a tourism transformation fund next year.

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Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Yuthasak Supasorn told Bangkok Post that the fee collection should start next year, with an aim of collecting THB five billion (roughly INR 11,04,79,06,215) within the first year, assuming ten million international tourists arrive in 2022.

The governor said that the government should “use the fund to support projects that can create an economic impact.” The additional cost won’t have an impact on tourists as Thailand wants to focus on the quality market, he said, adding that he hopes the fund will support a national tourism makeover creating more safe and clean places, reports India.com.

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This move may complicate Thailand’s efforts to rebuild its tourism industry, which had to suffer because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of international travel, reports Khaosod English. The report adds that in January, a tourism fee of THB 300 (approximately INR 663) per tourist was initially approved by the government, and officials stated that this revenue would be used to maintain tourist spots in the country. Now, the fee has been raised to THB 500 (INR 1,100).

While the proposal is in works currently, there’s no update as of now on how the Thailand government plans to collect this revenue from tourists, state media reports. The government is planning on setting up a committee to decide which projects shall receive this financial support and how funds would be transferred.