Thai Hoteliers Propose Eight Measures to Strengthen Tourism Industry

Thailand’s leading hotel operators have proposed a package of eight measures aimed at stabilising and strengthening the country’s tourism sector amid growing economic and geopolitical pressures.

The proposals were presented on May 15 during a meeting between Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and representatives of key business sectors. The tourism industry was represented by the Thai Hotels Association (THA), which used the opportunity to outline major concerns affecting both hotel operators and the broader tourism economy.

THA president Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun said the recommendations were designed to reduce travel costs, stimulate domestic tourism, improve the competitiveness of licensed hotels, and strengthen Thailand’s position in the global tourism market.

According to the association, the industry is currently facing multiple challenges, including rising fuel prices linked to instability in the Middle East, changing tourist behaviour, and increasing competition from unregulated accommodation and foreign online booking platforms.

One of the most discussed points was the proposal to review Thailand’s visa-free entry programme. Hotel operators stressed that visa exemptions remain important for tourism growth but argued that adjustments may now be necessary to improve oversight and reduce abuse of the system.

Another key issue raised was the regulation of cannabis use and sales. The topic has become especially sensitive in destinations such as Phuket, where concerns have grown over the rapid expansion of cannabis-related businesses and their impact on the island’s image as a family-friendly tourism destination.

The THA also proposed the creation of a dedicated Thai hotel booking platform that would support legally licensed accommodation providers and help them compete more effectively against international online travel agencies.

In addition, the association called for taxation measures targeting foreign online travel agencies (OTAs), arguing that many overseas platforms generate substantial revenue from Thailand’s tourism sector without contributing fairly to the local tax system.

Improving transport infrastructure was another priority. Industry representatives said better transport links between provinces would help distribute tourist traffic more evenly across the country instead of concentrating visitors in a few overcrowded destinations.

The hotel sector also urged the government to invest in developing new tourist attractions and destinations to diversify tourism products and support regional economies.

Financial support for hotel businesses was included among the proposals as well, with operators requesting easier access to low-interest loans to help businesses adapt to ongoing market pressures.

Alongside the eight proposals, tourism representatives asked the government not to rush plans for a possible outbound travel tax that would apply to Thai citizens travelling abroad.

The recommendations reflect growing efforts by Thailand’s tourism industry to balance economic recovery with long-term sustainability as the country continues adapting to post-pandemic market conditions and evolving global travel trends.