Thailand plans to give away free domestic flight tickets to overseas tourists in an attempt to boost low-season visitor numbers.
Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry has proposed offering free flights to 200,000 foreign arrivals, hoping it will it would generate 8.8bn baht (£200m) in revenue from a budget of 700m baht (£15.9m).
The initiative still needs approval from the Thai cabinet, but if it gets the green light, travellers to Thailand could explore much more of the country for a fraction of the cost.
The campaign, named “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights”, would give those holding an international arrivals ticket to claim one round-trip domestic flight with 20kg of baggage for free, according to the Bangkok Post. The flights are usually cost 3,500 baht or £80.
The tickets would be valid on six different Thai carriers, including Thai Airways, Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air and Thai Vietjet.
The free tickets would be offered to tourists when they book international flights directly with airlines or with online travel agents.
If approved, the scheme would run from September to November.
Tourism and sports minister Sorawong Thienthong said, according to The Nation, that “the initiative aims to attract at least 200,000 foreign tourists, covering destinations across Thailand, with a particular focus on Unesco-designated cities, popular tourist spots and key destinations nationwide.”
The Thai government said that its aim in 2025 was to return to pre-pandemic numbers – around 40 million foreign tourists – following the 35 million the country welcomed in 2024.
However, as of 17 August, the Bangkok Post said that 20.8 million foreign tourists have visited Thailand this year, a decrease of seven per cent year-on-year.
Tourists from China make up the largest proportion of visitors to Thailand, with 2.9 million arrivals.
Earlier this year, a Bloomberg analysis of government data found that foreign visitors to Thailand dropped for the fourth month in a row in May, declining 14 per cent to 2.6 million.
Initiatives such as free domestic flights hope to boost tourism, along with distributing visitors more widely throughout the country.
The plans come almost a year after a similar scheme was announced by Japan Airlines, which said it would offer certain…
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