#visaapplication #visarequirements #visafree

Visa requirements to be permanently waived for China and Thailand; understand the implications for India

The globe is preparing for a post-hegemonic world. China
According to the most recent news, China and Thailand have announced a historic deal to increase tourism. Commencing in March, both nations have resolved to permanently remove the need for visas for their respective nationals.

In reference to this, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced this noteworthy milestone and discussed the advantages it would have for both countries. According to reports, Thailand waived Chinese nationals' visa requirements in September as part of its efforts to promote tourism.
The first visa exemption for Chinese nationals was a huge success, especially during a period when Thailand was experiencing a drop in the number of Chinese visitors.

Nonetheless, more than 22,000 Chinese tourists visited Thailand in the first two days of the waiver, demonstrating the initiative's beneficial effects. Prime Minister Srettha conveyed his excitement about receiving travelers from both nations, emphasizing Thailand's preparedness to welcome guests and guarantee their safety.

As Prime Minister Srettha described the visa waiver as a "upgrade" to Thailand-China relations, she also emphasized the favorable effect on the value of Thai passports. After Malaysians, Chinese travelers to Thailand currently make up the second-largest group of foreign visitors.

Notwithstanding the bright future, Thailand's tourism industry has had difficulties, such as a lack of low-cost carriers following COVID-19 and a slowing Chinese economy.
Fears of visitors being abducted and forced to labor at con establishments in nearby nations have also sparked worries about safety.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand failed to meet its 4 million-visitor objective in 2023, setting a goal of up to 3.5 million Chinese tourists. This estimate, however, is a big step up from the paltry 270,000 Chinese visitors that were welcomed in 2022. With an eye toward the future, the tourism authority has set an ambitious goal of 8.2 million Chinese visitors by 2024.

Notably, in an effort to draw tourists, China has also been actively eliminating the need for visas. In an effort to promote foreign travel, the nation announced in November that travelers from Malaysia and a number of European nations would be able to enter the country without a visa. This program is scheduled to run until the end of November of this year, having started in December.

The reciprocal visa waivers between China and Thailand are part of a larger trend in which countries are using similar policies to boost diplomatic relations and encourage travel.

Conversely, the Indian tourism sector may face difficulties if the visa waiver promotes travel to China and Thailand at the expense of other countries, such as India. And as a result, Indian officials may need to reevaluate their plans for drawing in and keeping foreign visitors.

Additionally, as India and China have regional relations, this visa waiver is anticipated to encourage travel between the two nations and may result in cooperation and economic progress in the region. As a result, India may see difficulties retaining or growing its proportion of foreign visitors in the area.

свернуть