Thailand seeks solutions to promote foreign tourists' spending

By VNA October 15, 2024 | 06:24 pm PT

Tourists visit Wat Arun temple in Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 18, 2023. Photo by Reuters

The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) is urging the government to offer 1,000 baht (US$30) in digital currency to foreign tourists who visit certain parts of the country.

The TCT expressed concern over weakening consumer confidence, with Thailand's tourism confidence index at just 80 for the last quarter of this year.

The council predicts 35.5 million international visitors in 2024, generating 1.8 trillion baht in revenue, 11% lower than 2019 levels.

To attract more tourists, the TCT recommends providing foreign visitors with 1,000 baht in digital currency to spend in underdeveloped areas, which will help counter the negative impact of the strong baht on foreign purchasing power. They also suggest offering interest-free loans to locals to stimulate local economies.