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Thailand drops tourism fee to boost visitor spending

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After years of will they or won’t they, Thailand has finally decided to scrap the contentious proposal to impose a THB 300 ($8.20) tourism fee on international tourists arriving by air. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said this week that his administration would abandon the previous government’s plan. The hope is to encourage higher tourist spending, enhancing economic growth and visitor experience. The decision was announced by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin during a visit to Chiang Mai, aims to encourage higher tourist spending in other areas of the economy.

The tourism fee, initially approved by Thailand’s former government in February 2023, was intended to manage and develop tourism infrastructure. However, it faced considerable opposition from the private sector. The current administration believes that eliminating the fee will incentivize tourists to spend more money on local goods, services, and attractions, providing a more substantial boost to the economy.

“The fee was abandoned with the rationale that its elimination could encourage higher tourist spending in other areas, thereby providing a more substantial boost to the economy,” stated a government spokesperson.

Initiatives to Boost Tourism

Thailand is actively implementing various strategies to enhance its tourism appeal and attract a larger number of international visitors. Some of these measures include:

  • Extended Visa Stays: The government has approved longer visa stays for tourists and remote workers, making it more convenient for travelers to stay and explore the country.
  • Amazing Thailand Campaign: A new marketing campaign, “Amazing Thailand,” has been launched, focusing on luxury and wellness travel. This initiative aims to position Thailand as a premier destination for high-end travelers seeking unique and rejuvenating experiences.
  • UNESCO World Heritage Status: Efforts are underway to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for Nan province, which could further enhance its appeal as a cultural and historical destination.
  • Domestic Tourism Incentives: To stimulate domestic tourism during the low season (May to November), the government has introduced tax measures, including deductions for companies holding conventions and allowing tax deductions for non-hotel accommodation expenses.

Positive Impact on Tourism

These initiatives appear to be yielding positive results. From January 1 to April 28 this year, Thailand recorded nearly 12 million international arrivals, generating 575 billion baht (US$15.5 billion) in revenue. With these measures in place, the country aims to welcome around 40 million foreign visitors in 2024, marking a significant rebound in tourism following the pandemic.

Dodging Venice’s New Day-Tripper Tourist Tax Could Mean Hefty Fines

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St. Mark's Square in 2022

We found this article on Travel Market Report that might be of interest to interliners traveling to Venice.

Trying to skip out on Venice’s new day-tripper tourist tax will cost visitors hundreds more.

Officials in Venice unveiled more about the new tourist tax that will target day-trippers traveling into the city at peak times on Thursday, a tax that will be enforced on 29 of the busier spring and summer travel days starting later this month.

The city unveiled the program last September and even then it was a long time coming—it was first due to start in June 2022 and then delayed in January 2023 before finally being pushed to spring 2024. Now, as the city gears up to start enforcing it first on April 29, officials have unveiled the penalties for those trying to skirt the new tax.

According to Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, who spoke Thursday, anyone who does not pay the fine, and is found via random checks by officials in Venice, will be subject to fines ranging from 50 euros to 300 euros, plus the cost of the entrance fee, which is 5 euros. That would mean that getting caught by one of those “random” checks in the designated areas would cost visitors between $80 CAD or $60 USD to almost $450 CAD or $330 USD, depending on the day.

Brugnaro also spoke about how the city plans to enforce the rule.

Visitors will be tasked with paying the tax either ahead of time or when they arrive at the city’s main transport stations (the city is setting up a QR code for visitors to scan there) on their mobile phones. There will be no turnstiles, only what officials are calling “signaled access points” and officials will check randomly for receipts inside the enforcement area.

Only those traveling into Venice’s Ancient City, and not staying overnight, will be subject to the fee. Venice’s minor islands, including Murano, Alberoni, and Malamocco, are not included and those passing through areas such as Piazzale Roma, Tronchetto, or Stazione Marittima, without accessing the Ancient City, will also not be forced to pay.

The fee is also only for those aged 14 and up—for those under 14, Venice says that “to prove their age, if it is not apparent, the presentation of an identity document is accepted as sufficient.”

A full map of the enforcement area, and a list of the days when it will be enforced, can be found on the access fee website. Visitors can pay the fee on the Municipality of Venice website.

 

Immerse in Disney Magic as ‘Disneyland Forever’ Fireworks Spectacular Returns to Disneyland Park April 22

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We’re counting down the days until we “ignite the night” once again at the Disneyland Resort, with the return of three beloved nighttime spectaculars. T-minus fourteen days!

In addition to “World of Color” at Disney California Adventure Park and “Main Street Electrical Parade” at Disneyland Park returning on April 22, 2022, “Disneyland Forever” fireworks spectacular also will debut at Disneyland Park on this day.

“Disneyland Forever” fireworks is a street-to-sky celebration filled with sparkling pyrotechnics and immersive projections that envelop our Guests in a breathtaking journey with surprising special effects. This beloved spectacular – which originally debuted in 2015 for the 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration – transports Guests from an Anaheim orange grove into the worlds of timeless Disney and Pixar stories. “Disneyland Forever” also features two original songs: the theme “Live the Magic” and the inspiring closing song “Kiss Goodnight,” written by Disney Legend Richard M. Sherman.

Upon its return, there are many places around Disneyland Park where Guests can enjoy “Disneyland Forever.” Whether they choose to watch on Main Street, U.S.A., in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, near “it’s a small world,” or around the Rivers of America, each location has a different, exciting and immersive experience of the show, as each location bursts to life with colors, projections, and pyrotechnics. The multi-dimensional aspect of the show allows Guests to discover new surprises depending on which location they choose!

As a reminder, when “Disneyland Forever” fireworks return on April 22, it will run weekends only (Friday through Sunday). “Mickey’s Mix Magic” will present its high-energy, projections-only show during the week (Monday through Thursday) until late spring. At that time, “Disneyland Forever” fireworks will then run nightly in the summer.

To book your next vacation to Disneyland, call one of the Disney experts at Dynamic Travel & Cruises at 817 481-8631/800 766-2911 or airline employees call InterlineTravel.com at 800 766-2911.

Celebrate Disney Animation’s Award-Winning ‘Encanto’ This Spring at Disneyland Resort

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Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” recently won the Academy Award® for best animated feature at this year’s Oscars®, and a new sing-along version of the film is streaming on Disney+! And soon, Guests can gather with their family and friends this spring at Disneyland Park to celebrate the joy and wonder of Disney Animation’s newest instant classic, “Encanto.”

For a limited time beginning April 11, the iconic façade of “it’s a small world”  becomes enchanted several times each evening with a brief visual montage that pays tribute to the movie’s hit song, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” This musical delight comes to life through projection and lighting effects and an artistic style inspired by the lyrics, with select moments that feature characters from the film. Like the Madrigal family’s Casita, tiles across the “it’s a small world” façade flip, turn, and rearrange themselves as one scene transitions to the next, culminating in a celebratory chorus and a nod to Bruno’s mysterious prophecy about Mirabel.

During the day, Guests can also visit with Mirabel, the young hero from the film, at Frontierland’s Zocalo Park in a colorful photo location that pays homage to the Madrigal family from Colombia.

And coming April 22, “Main Street Electrical Parade” returns to Disneyland Park and celebrates its 50th anniversary with a spectacular, new grand finale float that brings together stylized scenes from more than a dozen Disney and Pixar stories, including “Encanto.” Sparkling lights depict the Casita, magical butterflies, and Miracle Candle from the film, with Mirabel and her cousin Antonio represented as animated dolls atop their section of the float.

These experiences will be available for a limited time at Disneyland Park.

To book your vacation to Disneyland, contact Dynamic Travel & Cruises at 817 481-8631 or InterlineTravel.com at 800 766-2911.

Also be sure and sign up for the NonRev Travel News newsletter. A weekly newsletter with the recap of the weeks nonrev travel news!!

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Opens May 27 at EPCOT!

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Get ready for an intergalactic chase through time and space – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is set to officially debut May 27 at EPCOT!

Get excited – Xandarians are coming to Earth and building the first “other-world” showcase pavilion at EPCOT, called the Wonders of Xandar pavilion. Guests will learn more about their technology and culture as they move through the pavilion, and discover how our two cultures are similar in so many ways.

But what actually happens aboard this family-thrill coaster? We’ve got a little bit of an idea…

The excitement begins May 27 when Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind releases its awesome mixtape of an attraction to the world. This is another big, magical moment in the 18-month Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration currently underway.

To book a Disney vacation contact Dynamic Travel & Cruises at 817 481-8631 or InterlineTravel.com at 800 766-2911

Also be sure and sign up for the NonRev Travel News newsletter. A weekly newsletter with the recap of the weeks nonrev travel news!!

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