Bangkok, 10 September, 2021 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has won a Gold Award for its Special Tourist Visa (STV) initiative, in the 2021 PATA Gold Awards organised by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).
TAT Governor, Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, said “The 2021 PATA Gold Award can be seen as a sign of Thailand’s enduring worldwide tourism appeal during even the most difficult times, as well as recognition of the Thai tourism sector’s ability to adapt and navigate to changing situations. That is something to be very proud of.”
TAT Deputy Governor of Tourism Products and Business, Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaiboon received the award on behalf of TAT during the Virtual PATA Gold Awards Ceremony held on Wednesday, 8 September, 2021.
TAT won the Gold Award in the Marketing Campaign (National – Asia) category of the 2021 PATA Gold Awards, which attracted 113 entries from 51 travel and tourism organisations and individuals and was sponsored by the Macao Government Tourism Office. A total of 20 awards were presented to winners from around the world.
The Special Tourist Visa (STV) was launched in October 2020, by Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports and TAT, as a premium long-stay 90-day visa, which could be extended twice for up to 90 days each time. The initiative is in place until 30 September, 2021.
The first-ever Special Tourist Visa (STV) was created in response to the growing demand seen from long-stay international tourists from potential markets during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its introduction was in line with the government’s efforts to help revive the country’s economy and relief measures for tourism and hospitality businesses and supply chain operators.
The Special Tourist Visa (STV) was designed to meet the needs of tourists wanting to stay for a long time in Thailand, while addressing the necessary safety and health measures in place like the Alternative State Quarantine or Alternative Local Quarantine requirement. The distribution of revenue to local communities and to various sectors of the tourism industry, including golfing and yachting, was also part of the new visa’s objectives.
