TAT awaits upsurge from European travellers next year

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is hopeful the European market will revive following the outbreak, with the first group of Scandinavians expected to arrive later this year.

Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, said prior to the pandemic, the number of tourism receipts from the European market accounted for one-third of total revenue.

The goal for next year is to increase the length of stay, rather than focusing on volume.

As of Oct 20, about 120 Scandinavians informed Thai embassies, the Thailand Longstay Company or the TAT they would like to enter the country via the special tourist visa (STV), which allow visitors from low-risk areas priority entry.

He said tourists from these countries normally prefer longer stays, averaging 18 days, and are considered to be from low-risk areas. Some potential…