Thailand is preparing to launch an exciting new initiative aimed at revitalizing its tourism sector by offering free domestic flights to international visitors. The country’s Tourism Ministry has proposed a plan to provide complimentary round-trip domestic flight tickets to up to 200,000 foreign tourists. This initiative, called “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights,” is still pending approval from the Thai cabinet. Drawing inspiration from a similar campaign in Japan, this move comes as Thailand faces a downturn in tourism numbers in 2025 due to political and safety concerns. With tourism contributing around 12% to the nation’s GDP, the government is eager to support the industry, and this proposal is expected to gain strong backing.
According to the Bangkok Post, the Thai Tourism Ministry plans to allocate $22 million (700 million baht) to fund this initiative. The average cost of a domestic return ticket in Thailand is approximately $110 (3,500 baht), allowing the ministry to offer up to 200,000 free tickets to international visitors who book their flights directly through airlines or travel agents. The campaign is projected to generate an impressive $245 million (8.8 billion baht) in new tourism revenue, offering a substantial return on investment. However, the offer is limited to domestic flights and is only available to foreign tourists arriving by air who have not yet booked their tickets. Six airlines, including Thai Airways and Thai AirAsia, will participate in this initiative.
Rungroj Santadvanit, president of the Thai Hotels Association, supports the initiative but emphasizes the need for equitable distribution of benefits across all provinces. He suggests that regions like Buri Ram could promote sports tourism, while Ubon Ratchathani could focus on attractions along the Mekong River. Santadvanit also stresses the importance of addressing safety concerns and clearly communicating safe travel areas, especially given the ongoing tensions at the Thailand-Cambodia border. This initiative is a crucial step in reviving Thailand’s tourism industry, which has long been a cornerstone of the country’s economy.
#ThailandTourism #FreeFlights #ExploreThailand #TravelThailand #VisitThailand
Originally reported by Simple Flying Read More
