National—
On June 2nd, 2024, Thai Government spokesperson Chai Watcharong announced the success of a visa-free policy for Indian tourists, effective from May 11th to November 11th, 2024. This initiative aims to boost tourism and stimulate Thailand’s economy.
According to Airbnb, bookings by Indian tourists surged by 60% between 2022 and 2023. In 2024, searches for accommodations in Thailand by Indian tourists on Airbnb increased by over 200% during major holidays such as the Holi Festival and Easter.
The top five destinations for Indian tourists are Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi, and Koh Samui. Chai highlighted that Airbnb data shows a significant interest in Thailand from Indian tourists, particularly among Gen Z and Gen Y, who account for over 80% of Airbnb bookings.
Indian tourists prefer accommodations with pools, on tropical beaches, near national parks, and in urban areas. They also tend to travel in groups of three to five or more.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed confidence in these proactive tourism promotion measures and the visa-free policy to attract foreign tourists. The Thai government continues to implement additional tourism policies to increase tourist numbers and support the tourism industry, Chai added.