Visas ease for Montenegro

Association of Thai Travel Agents says Thailand visa exemption for Montenegro will not do much for the country’s tourism prospects.

ATTA president, Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, said the benefits that can be derived by a visa exemption scheme for Montenegro were marginal. Also the scheme is limited to official or diplomatic passport holders.

“The scheme will not have much benefit because the number of Montenegro tourists travelling to Thailand are no more than 5,000 to 6,000 a year.”

He added that Montenegro is not a major market for Thailand.

“We have to ask the government what is the real purpose of this visa exemption scheme… is it to boost investment?… If it wants to drive tourism, there are many other countries that could be considered for visa exemption.”

The Cabinet on Tuesday gave the green light for Thailand and Montenegro to exempt holders of official and diplomatic passports from both sides from needing visas for short term visits to either country, according to government deputy spokesman Pakdiharn Himathongkham.

The Ministry of Foreign plan was approved in principle during the Cabinet meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisarn on behalf of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Mr Pakdiharn said the agreement is designed to make it more convenient for holders of official and diplomatic passports to travel to either country for periods not exceeding 90 days.

“The agreement is an increase of cooperation between the two countries, which will lead to stronger relations, particularly in the fields of politics, economics and tourism.”

Sourced: ttrweekly