Thailand Drops Controversial Air Travel Tax to Boost Tourism
Thailand has scrapped its proposed 8-euro tourist fee for international air travelers, aiming to accelerate tourism recovery in 2024 while introducing visa reforms and tax incentives to attract longer stays and higher spending.
Repeatedly delayed: the Thai government has now scrapped its plan to levy a 300 baht (about €8) tourism surcharge on international air passengers. The decision is designed to spur arrivals and lift visitor spending across the kingdom. The move follows widespread concern among travellers towards the original proposal, which had sparked traveler unease and threatened to slow the sector’s rebound from the pandemic.
Cancelling the fee is the latest in a broader push by Thailand to reinvigorate tourism. On 8 June 2024, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed the country would no longer impose the 300 baht (≈ €8.20) tourism fee on foreign arrivals by air, seeking to make Thailand more appealing by removing extra costs and easing entry.
The government believes waiving the levy—while it would have generated short-term revenue—will ultimately deliver stronger economic gains by letting more visitors enter without added charges, encouraging them to spend on retail, restaurants and activities once they arrive.
Visa Reforms to Lengthen Visitor Stays
Alongside the fee removal, Thailand has rolled out visa reforms intended to bring in more international visitors for extended stays. Key measures include:
a 60-day visa-free entry for passport-holders of 93 countries, up from the previous 30 days, valid from 1 June to 11 November 2024;
longer on-arrival stays of up to 60 days for additional nationalities under expanded visa-on-arrival schemes.
Tax Breaks to Fuel Domestic Travel
The cabinet has also approved temporary tax incentives—running May to November 2024—to revitalise domestic tourism. Businesses hosting conventions or meetings can claim deductions, while individuals staying at alternative accommodations such as homestays in regional cities are also eligible for tax relief.
Spécialiste de la veille réglementaire et experte en contenus destinations, elle analyse quotidiennement l’évolution des formalités d’entrée pour traduire la complexité administrative en guides pratiques. Son rôle combine expertise terrain et précision technique afin de garantir la fiabilité des informations délivrées aux voyageurs.
