Thailand has a draft Fourth National Tourism Development Plan for 2028 to 2032. It aims for at least THB 4 trillion in tourism revenue and a place in the top 30 of the World Economic Forum's tourism index. Reports disagree on whether the plan was endorsed or only discussed at the end of October. Explera DMC Thailand explains what is known and what it changes for agents now.
Explera handles ground arrangements as a Thailand DMC for travel agents. Its Thai company, Explera DMC Co., Ltd., holds TAT licence 14/05119, the Tourism Business Licence issued by the Department of Tourism, and the group is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733) and a member of ASTA (900408341). Write to b2b@explera.co.th.
What does the draft plan say?
The plan follows the third National Tourism Development Plan, which covers 2023 to 2027. Its two headline targets are at least THB 4 trillion in total tourism revenue and a top-30 place in the Travel & Tourism Development Index. Skift reads the revenue figure as an annual target for 2032, about 48% above the roughly THB 2.7 trillion Thailand earned in 2025, domestic tourism included. The direction is value rather than volume: better products and services, more high-spending visitors, and more of the income reaching small businesses and communities. Thailand ranks 38th in the 2026 edition of the index; our WEF tourism index post explains what that ranking measures.
Was the plan approved or only discussed?
The reports do not agree, and that is the point to take away. The National Tourism Policy Committee held its second meeting of 2026, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun. Bangkok Post reported that the committee met on 30 October and endorsed the draft. The government's own account, given by a deputy spokesperson on 31 October and reported by Nation Thailand and Infoquest, says the meeting discussed the direction of the plan. In that account, the item the committee approved was a new tourism strategy subcommittee for the transition period, chaired by Weerasak Kowsurat. Either way, this is a draft for 2028 onwards. It has no published budget, and nothing in it changes a booking for 2026 or 2027.
What about cruise terminals, marinas and visas?
The committee said Thailand still lacks enough cruise terminals and yacht marinas to meet demand, and asked the Tourism Authority of Thailand to work with other agencies on a framework. Skift notes that no funding or timeline has been attached. On entry rules, the Tourism Authority of Thailand planned to put visa exemption proposals for Mexico, Colombia, Uzbekistan and Belarus to the relevant committee on 9 November, and the Foreign Ministry is improving the e-Visa service. The government said the visa proposals have not taken effect, and that the proposed fee for foreign visitors is still under consideration and is not being collected. Our tourist fee post covers how to quote around it.
What does a five-year plan change for agents now?
Very little this season, and that is worth saying plainly to clients who read the headline. A national plan sets direction for ministries; it is not a law, a fee or a visa rule. What it does tell you is where official attention will go: higher-spending travellers, sea and yacht tourism, and spreading visitors beyond the main cities. If you sell yacht or island programmes, our yacht and catamaran charters team arranges charters in the Andaman Sea, from Phuket, and in the Gulf today, using the marinas that already exist. Plan on current infrastructure and treat new terminals as news to watch, not as something to sell. A Thailand DMC that tracks these meetings can tell you when a proposal becomes a rule with a date.
Next steps
Keep quoting on the rules in force today, and ask us before you print any visa or fee change in client documents. See our Thailand DMC services or send your dates and group sizes through our contact page. The trade desk replies within 24 hours.
Sources
- Nation Thailand: Thailand targets THB4 trillion in tourism revenue under new draft plan
- Bangkok Post: Committee greenlights TAT's proposals
- Infoquest (Thai): Government sets out THB 4 trillion tourism plan, top-30 target
Frequently asked questions
What is Thailand's Fourth National Tourism Development Plan?
It is the draft national tourism plan for 2028 to 2032, following the third plan for 2023 to 2027. It targets at least THB 4 trillion in tourism revenue and a top-30 place in the World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Development Index.
Has the plan been approved?
Reports differ. Bangkok Post said the National Tourism Policy Committee endorsed the draft on 30 October; the government's own statement said the committee discussed its direction. It remains a draft either way.
Where does Thailand rank in the tourism index now?
38th in the 2026 edition of the World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Development Index. The plan aims to reach the top 30.
Does the plan change visas or fees for my clients?
No. The visa exemption proposals for Mexico, Colombia, Uzbekistan and Belarus and the proposed fee for foreign visitors were still under consideration and not in effect when the plan was reported. Check with us before quoting any change.
