The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said it expects the tourism industry to generate revenue of up to USD 65.03 billion next year. In a best-case scenario, revenue of 1.5 trillion baht would come from international visitors and 880 billion baht from domestic tourism, TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said, adding that would be equivalent to about 80 per cent of the sector’s performance before the pandemic struck.

Thailand has received about 2 million foreign visitors in the first six months of this year, a steady revival after its tourism industry almost collapsed due to the pandemic and more than 18 months of complex and costly entry requirements.

Earlier this year, Thailand launched a long-term visa programme for wealthy foreigners and skilled workers, sticking to its plan to lure high-spending visitors, despite major jobs and business losses in tourism during the pandemic.