The Thai government continues to generate ideas to stimulate the economy and promote tourism and is looking for ways to increase tourist spending
The Thai government has initiated a study aimed at turning Thailand into a duty-free paradise to position the country as the world’s premier tourism and shopping centre, reports the Bangkok Post. Proposed measures include closing duty-free shops on arrival to encourage tourists to do more shopping within the country.
The Cabinet has agreed in principle to five major measures proposed by the Finance Ministry aimed at strengthening the country’s status as a major tourism and shopping centre, government spokesman Chai Vacharonke said.
The first measure aims to encourage domestic spending among locals and foreign tourists by providing additional tax and financial incentives, the spokesman said. Among the products promoted under this measure are locally made perfumes, clothes and fashion bags, Chai said.
The second measure relates to the proposed restructuring of excise tax to make some products attractive in terms of price, the spokesman said, adding that prices would probably become cheaper than in other countries.
The third measure concerns a proposal to close duty-free shops at arrival points to encourage active shopping among foreign visitors while in Thailand. It is proposed to leave duty-free shops only in the departure area of the country.
The fourth measure relates to a proposal to increase the opening hours of night entertainment venues in important tourist areas. The Home Ministry has been directed to study how to increase tourism revenue through the proposed measure.
Under the Fifth Measure, the Cabinet has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to study the possibility of expanding the visa-free policy to include visitors from more countries, a government spokesman said.
The Finance Ministry will explore ways to attract more foreign tourists to Thailand to buy branded goods here. And on the shelves of duty-free shops, imported products should be replaced with Thai products, Chai said.
“Measures to support Thailand becoming a tourism and shopping centre are part of the government’s policy to boost the economy,” the spokesman said.
The ministries are expected to present detailed findings of the studies and report back to the cabinet early next year.
As the proposed measures are likely to result in both a loss of tax revenue and an increase in domestic spending in the tourism industry, an accurate assessment of the anticipated losses and gains is needed before a final decision is made on them, Chai added.
Prime Minister Settha Thaweesin has also instructed the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to step up the fight against the spread of fake news about Thailand on the internet, which has a negative impact on the country’s tourism, the spokesman said.
The ministry has also been instructed to find a balance between tourism revenue and the deficit between Thailand and Malaysia, Chai said, adding that the directive followed the prime minister’s meeting with his Malaysian counterpart.
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