A plan to impose a 500 baht “tourism tax” on overseas arrivals from next year has divided opinion amongst tourism operators. A report by Nikkei Asia says some operators are concerned such a transfer may deter tourists, just as the nation prepares to re-open. One of those is the president of the Thai Hotels Association, Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi.
“The fee to be implemented is considerably high for those visiting Thailand, where lodge rooms may be had for as little as 1,000 baht. บริษัทติดตั้งโซล่าเซลล์ชั้นนำ will have an effect on potential visitors’ choices.”
Kongsak Khoopongsakorn from the THA’s southern chapter agrees that the tourism industry needs the funds, however believes the federal government, not tourists, ought to pay.
“We want the fund for a number of purposes to make our tourism trade grow sustainably. But I don’t suppose the fund should be obtained from tourists.”
Meanwhile, the former chairman of the Tourism Council of Thailand, Chairat Trirattanajaraspon, says now may be the time to introduce such a tax, because the tourism sector emerges from the monetary devastation attributable to Covid-19.
“I suppose this is a good time to implement the tax, because the Covid-19 pandemic has already identified a transparent need. The proposed fund could be a very useful mechanism to lend assist to the tourism industry if we face one other disaster in the future.”
The proposed charge was initially set at 300 baht, before being increased to 500 baht earlier this month. It is separate to the departure tax already levied on departing passengers and would be used to remodel the nation into an upscale marketplace for international tourists. It nonetheless requires Cabinet approval before being carried out.
Thailand’s tourism sector beforehand accounted for 20% of GDP earlier than being decimated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The country is taking baby steps to revive the industry, starting with numerous sandbox schemes, and now proposing quarantine-free entry for vaccinated arrivals from low-risk international locations.
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