Bangkok: The Half-Half Travel program is scheduled to launch in July, with registration expected to open by mid-May. The program aims to boost domestic tourism by offering citizens subsidized travel opportunities.
According to Thai News Agency, the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Mr. Surawong Thienthong, has disclosed updates on the Thai Half-Half project. The project is operating under an initial budget of 1,760 million baht from the total tourism recovery budget of 3,500 million baht. The proposal is set to be presented to the Cabinet meeting by late this month or early June. This presentation has been delayed from its original schedule due to additional examinations requested by the Budget Bureau and necessary discussions with the Prime Minister.
The main objective of the program is to stimulate domestic travel, particularly during the low season, and to encourage visits beyond major tourist destinations. The initiative will officially commence in July, maintaining 1 million travel rights. However, the maximum allocation has been adjusted from 10 to 6 nights per person. In major cities, the government will cover 40% of travel costs, while individuals will pay the remaining 60%. For secondary cities, costs will be equally shared between the government and citizens. The campaign encourages spending 3 nights in major cities and 3 nights in secondary cities to promote travel to less-visited locations. The implementation period is set for July to September 2025.
Registration for entrepreneurs and citizens eligible for these rights will open soon. Entrepreneurs, including hotels, accommodations, and restaurants, can expect to register by mid-May. Citizens looking to benefit from the travel rights should experience no significant delays in the registration process.