Bangkok:The government of Thailand is taking significant steps to boost the country's tourism sector, with a goal to generate 4 trillion baht in revenue and secure a position among the top 30 tourist destinations globally.
According to Thai News Agency, the government is focusing on upgrading Thailand's tourism industry as a key driver for sustainable economic growth. At the 2nd meeting of the National Tourism Policy Committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Supajee Suthamphan, discussions centered around the 4th National Tourism Development Plan (2028-2032). The plan aims to enhance the economic value of tourism, improve the quality of products and services, expand markets for high-spending tourists, and distribute income to small businesses and communities.
A significant aspect of the plan involves developing cruise and yacht ports to tap into high-purchasing power markets. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is set to coordinate with relevant agencies to establish a framework for developing this infrastructure. Additionally, leveraging the 2026 IMF-World Bank Annual Meeting is seen as an opportunity to showcase Thailand's unique charm and connect tourist routes around Bangkok.
Further strategies discussed include creating a year-round tourism calendar to link festivals, cultural attractions, and community activities with tourist routes, as well as promoting agricultural tourism and seasonal fruit tours. Visa exemption measures for tourists from Mexico, Colombia, Uzbekistan, and Belarus are also being considered, alongside efforts to improve the E-Visa service and passenger clearance efficiency at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The meeting also acknowledged the progress of operations related to tourism and cultural administration, approving the establishment of a subcommittee on tourism transition strategies. Additionally, guidelines for collecting tourism fees from foreign tourists were discussed, with the measure still under consideration and not yet implemented.