Bangkok:The tourism sector is advocating for well-defined conditions regarding the implementation of travel taxes, emphasizing the need for clarity to avoid potential disruption to travel activities.
According to Thai News Agency, the tourism sector appreciates the government's decision to delay the collection of travel taxes. This pause is seen as an opportunity to thoroughly evaluate the tax's impact on travelers and related businesses. The sector insists that any travel tax should have a clearly defined purpose and include appropriate exemptions to prevent hindering travel. They also acknowledged the current pressures faced by Thailand's tourism industry.
Mr. Chotichong Surangkul, advisor to the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) and Deputy Managing Director of Nomsao Tour Co., Ltd., remarked that the delay allows for a comprehensive assessment of the potential effects on travelers amid fluctuating energy and travel costs. He stressed the importance of addressing key questions regarding the tax's objectives, timing, collection methods, revenue use, and performance indicators.
If reconsidered in the future, Mr. Chotichong suggested that any outbound travel tax should be modeled to reflect affordability and include appropriate exceptions to maintain the competitiveness of the tourism sector. He also highlighted the need for clear guidelines if a foreign tourist fee is introduced, ensuring the revenue benefits travelers and tourist destination development.
An advisor to the Thai Tourism Service Association noted that the Thai tourism sector is under pressure from global economic conditions, geopolitical uncertainties, energy prices, air travel costs, and regional competition. Data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports shows a 4.12 percent decrease in foreign tourists from January 1st to October 17th, 2026, compared to the same period last year. Despite this, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) maintains its target of 33 million foreign tourists for the year.
The sector faces challenges in adjusting prices due to intense competition and must focus on cost management, product development, and marketing strategies. Collaborating with partners is seen as a strategy to enhance competitiveness beyond mere price competition.