Thailand and Sri Lanka are rolling out the red carpet for Indian travelers by waiving visa fees, mirroring a trend seen earlier this year when Thailand eliminated visa requirements for Chinese tourists.
These strategies are intended to attract more Indian tourists to visit these stunning locations.
In September, Thailand had canceled visa requirements for Chinese travelers, reaffirming its commitment to promote tourism.
Thailand, known for its beautiful scenery and colorful culture, is the second country to provide incentives to Indian tourists. Sri Lanka made a similar announcement last week, suggesting that they're ready to welcome Indian tourists.
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The removal of visa fees for Indians is expected to have a substantial impact on Indian tourism. Currently, roughly 1.2 million Indians visit Thailand each year, ranking India fourth in terms of tourism behind Malaysia, China, and South Korea. Experts expect that this figure will more than double to 2 million, necessitating the launch of additional aircraft to accommodate demand.
"At the moment, nearly 1.2 million Indians travel to Thailand every year," said Subhash Goyal, Chairman of STIC Travels. This figure could rise to 2 million. More flights may be required to maximize this deal."
Source: Amar Ujala
This visa cost exemption not only intends to increase the number of Indian tourists but also promises a more efficient and pleasurable travel experience. Long lines and delays have been experienced by Indian visitors when applying for visas upon arrival in Thailand, a situation that this program tries to address.
India has long been one of Thailand's most important tourism source markets, ranking fourth this year after Malaysia, China, and South Korea. As airlines and accommodation companies strategically target the Indian market, the growth of domestic Indian tourism has accelerated.
Source: Sri Lanka Tourism
Thailand is expected to draw over 28 million tourists this year due to its unrivaled natural beauty, vibrant culture, and friendly hospitality.
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Apart from Thailand and Sri Lanka, 15 more countries presently allow Indian passport holders to travel visa-free. Barbados, Bhutan, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Haiti, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Nepal, Niue Island, Qatar, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, St Lucia, and The Cook Islands are among these countries.
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Thailand and Sri Lanka's initiatives reflect the growing allure of India's outbound tourism market for global tourism industries. Both countries are determined to strengthen ties with Indian visitors and boost their tourism industries.
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