Policy likely to have muted impact
A visa-free scheme for Chinese travellers would not immediately increase the market to 700,000 arrivals from the mainland per month because of concerns about safety and a slow resumption of flights, which are only half of the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.
Tourism operators in Phuket instead have high hopes for Kazakhstan, which is set to be granted visa-free arrivals from Sept 25, 2023 until Feb 29, 2024, as this market has high potential, according to travel agents.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said the seat capacity for Chinese flights in the final quarter is around 400,000 seats, which is 50% lower than the same period of 2019.
Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said it would be difficult to increase monthly…
