On April 23, according to Thai media news, many countries around the world are currently opposing "overtourism", and Thai tour operators have called on the government to seriously consider the country's carrying capacity, so some people have suggested a tourism tax of 300 baht to solve this problem.
The so-called "overtourism" refers to the excessive number of tourists who cause local congestion or overcrowding, and lead to conflicts with locals, that is, too many tourists can easily damage the local natural environment and historical monuments, and at the same time, the daily life of the local people will inevitably be affected. And Thailand's Prime Minister and Minister of Finance aims to make 2025 a milestone year for Thailand's tourism industry.
In response, the President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Thailand (FETTA), Mr. Adi, said that the Federation plans to submit a white paper to the government, which will include the prevention of the above-mentioned excesses in the tourism industry, which was seen in Thailand before the pandemic. With an estimated 40 million tourists, popular destinations such as Phuket, Samui and Pattaya will face these problems.
He further said that during the peak tourist season, Phuket experienced traffic congestion and water shortages, and the flight schedule at the international airport was also very tight. Adi said that one of the key strategies to solve the problem is to attract tourists from major tourist destinations to Thailand's second-tier cities, which have great potential in terms of attractions and space, including the need for authorities to speed up the connectivity between airports and urban areas.
On the other hand, Mr. Surawa, Vice Chairman of the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), said that the Thai government should reconsider charging a tourism fee of 300 baht to help the tourism industry, as this plan and all the related preparations have now been finalized. He said the funds will help develop infrastructure in second-tier cities and attract tourists to move away from congested areas.
At the same time, the 300 baht fee will also help increase the budget of the tourism sector, and it is not believed that this move will affect the willingness of foreign tourists to visit Thailand, as it is not too expensive compared to countries such as Bhutan, which charge US$100 per night. Many countries around the world now levy taxes on tourists through airfares or hotel stays, and Thailand should also start a pilot phase of imposing a tourism tax through a mobile app or convenience stores.