BANGKOK, Thailand – The Tourism Ministry plans to request a 3.5 billion baht budget to launch the new Rao Thiew Duak Kan (We Travel Together) programme, offering Thai tourists 50% subsidies on hotel stays and meals from May to September 2025. The initiative aims to boost domestic tourism by providing one million vouchers for participants.
Government Seeks Budget for New Tourism Scheme
Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong announced his plan to seek a 3.5 billion baht allocation from the government’s emergency fund to finance a co-pay tourism promotion scheme. Under this programme, Thai tourists will receive a subsidy covering 50% of hotel and meal costs, an increase from the previous 40% subsidy rate.
Sorawong emphasized that the first round of We Travel Together was introduced to revive Thailand’s tourism industry, which suffered severe economic losses due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In that phase, the government covered 40% of accommodation and meal expenses.
One Million Vouchers Available for Thai Tourists
The new programme will distribute one million vouchers to Thai tourists who successfully register. These vouchers will be redeemable from May to September 2025 and will cover 50% of hotel stays and meal costs at participating establishments.
Sorawong expressed confidence that the vouchers would be claimed quickly due to high demand. However, he noted that airfare subsidies had not yet been finalized, and a decision on this matter would be made soon.
Plans for a Centralized Tourism Platform
The minister also mentioned the possibility of creating a central platform for tourism and hotel businesses to streamline participation in the co-pay scheme. This platform would ensure that businesses meet eligibility criteria and provide seamless booking and payment solutions for tourists.
Boosting Domestic Tourism and Economic Recovery
The Thai government has been actively working on reviving the tourism sector, which contributes significantly to the national economy. The previous phases of the We Travel Together scheme helped stimulate domestic travel, benefiting hotels, restaurants, and local businesses across the country.
Industry experts believe that the new 50% subsidy rate will further encourage domestic tourism and support businesses recovering from the pandemic’s financial impact.
Final Decision Expected Soon
Sorawong is expected to finalize the proposal and submit it for government approval in the coming weeks. If approved, the new phase of We Travel Together will launch in May 2025, providing much-needed financial relief to domestic travelers and stimulating growth in the tourism sector.
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