Tag Archives: Thailand

Thailand to introduce ETA for nationals from India & 92 countries on Dec 1

Thailand will implement a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system for visa-exempt travellers beginning December 1, 2024.

This initiative, announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aims to simplify immigration procedures and enhance the tracking of foreign nationals. The system will affect visitors from 93 countries, including India, who currently do not require a visa to enter Thailand.

The ETA will be mandatory for these travellers, while nationals from Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia will be exempt. Each approved ETA will allow a single entry and be valid for up to 60 days per visit, with an option to extend by an additional 30 days.

The application process for the ETA will be conducted entirely online, and there will be no application fee, making it a straightforward procedure for travellers. Alongside the ETA, Thailand will continue to operate its e-Visa system, with plans to integrate both systems into a unified online application process by June 2025.

Travellers with an ETA will benefit from expedited immigration clearance using automated gates. By scanning the QR code provided on their ETA, they will enjoy faster entry processing. However, the new system will also allow Thailand to better monitor stays and enforce limits, with penalties for overstaying, including daily fines.

It’s important to note that while the ETA facilitates entry, it does not guarantee admission. Border officials retain the authority to deny entry if deemed necessary. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide additional details on the ETA process in the coming weeks. Visitors planning to travel to Thailand should stay updated to ensure a smooth entry experience.

 

 

Air India starts non-stop Delhi-Kuala Lumpur flights

Air India has inaugurated its daily, non-stop flights between Delhi and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). The inaugural flight, operated by Airbus A320neo aircraft, landed at Kuala Lumpur at 2043 Hrs local time on September 15, 2024.

Kuala Lumpur makes Air India’s sixth destination in Southeast Asia, further strengthening its presence in the region and a steadily expanding global route network. Air India’s service to Kuala Lumpur offers a new flight option to an increasing number of travellers between India and Malaysia, and it opens new connections for Malaysian travellers to access Air India’s worldwide network that spans five continents.

Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said, “As we inaugurate our Delhi-Kuala Lumpur route, we are not just connecting two cities; we are contributing to the growing exchange between two rich cultures and supporting bilateral trade and tourism. We look forward to welcoming guests aboard from India and Malaysia, as well as from North America and Europe who will now find a convenient way to connect to and from Kuala Lumpur via our hub in Delhi.”

Air India’s new flights to Kuala Lumpur enable seamless, same-terminal, one-stop connections for travellers from North America and Europe via Delhi.

SCHEDULE OF FLIGHTS BETWEEN DELHI AND KUALA LUMPUR

All times local 
Flight # Sector Departure Arrival Days of Operation

AI384

 Delhi-Kuala Lumpur 1300 Hrs 2100 Hrs

Daily
AI385 Kuala Lumpur-Delhi 0830 Hrs 1125 Hrs

Daily

Departure and arrival times are displayed in local times. The schedule of AI385 Kuala Lumpur-Delhi is effective 16 September 2024.

In addition to Kuala Lumpur, Air India flies non-stop between India and five points in Southeast Asia, namely Singapore, Bangkok and Phuket (Thailand), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), and Yangon (Myanmar).

 

AirAsia Thailand launched Hyderabad-Bangkok & Chennai-Phuket flights

 

AirAsia Thailand is expanding its India network with the launch of direct flights from Hyderabad to Bangkok and Chennai to Phuket. The Hyderabad-Bangkok route will begin on October 27, offering 4 weekly flights, while the Chennai-Phuket route will start on October 30 with 3 weekly flights.

To celebrate the launch, AirAsia is offering special fares starting from INR 7,390 for Hyderabad-Bangkok and INR 6,990 for Chennai-Phuket. Bookings are available until September 22 for travel between October 2024 and March 2025.

Travelers can book their seats on the AirAsiaMOVE app or airasia.com. Tansita Akraritpirom, Head of Commercial at Thai AirAsia, emphasised the airline’s commitment to India by expanding to 14 routes with these new additions.

The new flights will make Thailand more accessible for Indian travellers, further strengthening the connection between the two countries.

Indians taking 2 or more overseas trips have grown by 32%: MMT Report

MakeMyTrip (MMT) has released its ‘How India Travels Abroad’ Report for June 2023 to May 2024, period.

Highlighting the importance of the report, Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO, MakeMyTrip, said, “With rising disposable incomes, greater exposure to global cultures, and the increasing ease of travel, more Indians are exploring both domestic and international destinations for leisure as well as business. Our data attests to the growing confidence in exploring new destinations and indulging in different/luxury experiences, which is also transforming the travel industry.

While domestic tourism remains buoyant, as noted in our previous report, our latest findings highlight the notable changes in international travel behaviour driven by macroeconomic factors that are fuelling the surge in travel among Indians. These trends present an exciting opportunity for the travel and tourism industry to innovate and cater to the evolving needs of Indian travellers.”

A key finding from the report suggests that international travel search volumes remain relatively steady across all seasons, with December being the most active month for international travel searches.

The October-December quarter attracts the most searches for short-haul destinations, while the six-month period between April and September sees higher searches for mid & long-haul destinations.

The report also reveals that popular destinations such as the UAE, Thailand, and the USA top the chart of the destinations that Indians love to travel to, with Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Bhutan leading the emerging destinations chart.

Some other key highlights from the report are:
• Wanderlust Boom: More Indians are taking trips to international destinations, with a 32% growth in people taking 2 or more trips in a year. The top ten most searched countries remain the same as 2023, contributing to 64% of all international searches on the platform. Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi lead the charts for international travel searches. UK, Australia and Germany are the most popular student destinations.

• Emerging Hotspots – There has been a 70% increase in the combined search volume for the top 10 emerging destinations. Almaty and Baku have seen phenomenal growth rates of 527% and 395%, respectively. The overall contribution of searches for emerging destinations on our platform has increased from 10% to 14%, indicating that Indians are exploring newer global destinations.

• Business Class not just for Business – Interest in luxury travel is rising among Indians, with a 10% growth in searches for business class flights in the international segment. Hong Kong shows the highest growth with a 131% increase in searches followed by Sri Lanka, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia.

• Luxury vs. Budget: Indian Travelers’ Hotel Choices – While Indians are on the lookout for pocket friendly experiences, close to 50% of international hotel bookings fall in the above INR 7,000 per night tariff bracket. With New York being the most expensive place to book a hotel, South Asian destinations such as Pokhara, Pattaya, and Kuala Lumpur emerge as the top destinations for budget-friendly stay options.

o Travellers from Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, Delhi and Haryana spend the most on premium hotel bookings
o In contrast, travellers from Punjab, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu show a higher preference for budget hotels

• Homestays and Villas on the Rise – Searches for homestays and villas have surged by 42%. Bali, Dubai and Singapore make for the highest share of searches for homestays and villas, while cities like Interlaken, Kuala Lumpur, Paris, Amsterdam, and Rome are also leading this trend, showing maximum growth in search volumes.

• Jet-set for Leisure – Fifty-five percent of all trips to international destinations are for leisure, followed by 33% for VFR (visiting friends and relatives). Thailand is the most favourite leisure destination for Indians. An impressive 44% of international travellers from West Bengal chose Thailand as the overseas destination. The UAE, Europe, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam are the other top leisure destinations for Indian travellers.

• Urban Nightlife Dominates – More than one-third of Indians prefer urban destinations with a vibrant nightlife. Travellers from West Bengal and Punjab make up the largest share of those seeking urban nightlife. Bangkok, Pattaya, Kuala Lumpur, Abu Dhabi, and Ho Chi Minh City are the top five destinations for travellers seeking vibrant urban nightlife. Additionally, 23% of Indians also have a proclivity towards shopping and luxury, with Dubai and Singapore being the top favourites.

• Love for flexibility, assurance, and extra baggage – Japan, Europe, the USA, and South Korea are the top destinations where Indians opted for Zero Cancellation for flight bookings. The UAE, Thailand, Europe, and the USA, on the other hand, had the highest share of travellers purchasing travel insurance. Indians also have a preference for additional baggage – travellers from Rajasthan booked the most extra baggage, followed by those from Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Additionally, Europe, the UAE, Singapore, and the USA, saw the highest share of travellers opting for Visa Rejection Full Refund.

• Impulsive Travel Trend – Close to 50% of international flights and 56% of international hotel rooms are booked less than 14 days before the travel date. Oman, Nepal and UAE have the highest last minute flight bookings, while Qatar, Oman and Azerbaijan lead in last minute hotel bookings. European cities, on the other hand, have longest Advance Purchase (AP) windows.

The “How Indians Travel Abroad” report spotlights India’s emergence as a global travel force. As travellers seek authenticity and personal connections, the travel ecosystem must adapt. Whether it’s exploring ancient ruins in Greece or sipping tea in Sri Lanka, Indian travellers are leaving their footprints across continents.

 

Thailand, Vietnam & Indonesia are top destinations for repeat travel by Indians: Agoda

Agoda’s latest Return Visitor Ranking reveals that 67% of Indian travellers return to their favorite destinations. The ranking, which was compiled from a survey conducted on the Agoda platform earlier this month, shows Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia are leading the pack as the ultimate hotspots for returning visitors from India, followed by Singapore and France.

Agoda surveyed travellers who just booked a new trip to their favourite destination. The largest group of respondents from India (42%) cited ‘Adventure’ as the main purpose for their upcoming trip. 22% is traveling for ‘Food’, while ‘Arts and Culture’ and ‘Reuniting with Family/Friends’ were both mentioned by 20% of respondents.

58% of repeat travellers have visited their favourite destination between 1-3 times in the past decade, making up the largest chunk of repeat visitors. 4% of travellers have even visited their favorite destination ten times or more.

Krisha Rathi, Senior Country Director, India Subcontinent and Maldives, Agoda, shared, “While some make it a habit to globetrot, others find pleasure in revisiting their favorite destinations. Agoda’s Return Visitor Ranking shows that for Indian travellers, Thailand, Vietnam, and Bali are more than just destinations, they are experiences that travelers crave to relive. Agoda is proud to facilitate these journeys, offering a diverse range of accommodations, flights, and activities to make every trip enjoyable, whether it’s your first or your tenth.”

When asked what makes their favorite markets so irresistible, ‘Local Cuisine’, ‘Ease of Travel’, and ‘Affordability’ were all frequently mentioned by Indian travellers. Additionally, three out of ten Indian travelers cited ‘Friendly Locals’ as an important motivator to return.

From an Asia-wide perspective, the survey highlights Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam as the top destinations that Asian travelers can’t get enough of. ‘Ease of Travel’ emerged on top as the key travel motivator, with 44% of Asian travelers listing this as the primary reason for returning to their favourite destinations.

 

Sri Lanka offers visa-free entry to Indians, nationals from 34 countries from Oct 1

The Government of Sri Lanka has announced visa-free access to citizens from 35 countries, including India, the UK and the US to the island nation for six months starting October 1, media reports said on Wednesday.

The Cabinet made the decision which will be in effect from October 1, 2024, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported quoting Adviser to the Ministry of Tourism, Harin Fernando.

The policy is in force for six months, Fernando said.

Countries on the list include India, the UK, China, the US, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Denmark, Poland, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Nepal, Indonesia, Russia, and Thailand.

Other countries include Malaysia, Japan, France, Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Israel, Belarus, Iran, Sweden, South Korea, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and New Zealand.

Earlier, controversy surrounded increased fees for on-arrival visas in Sri Lanka, which were being handled by a foreign company.

Visitors from India, China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia received tourist visas free of charge to Sri Lanka.