Long-stay needs longer visa

CHIANG MAI, 27 August 2012: The government should extend the non-immigrant visa from one year to three years to support the long-stay tourism market, Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce and Thai Hotels Association Northern Chapter told TTR Weekly last week.

THA Northern Chapter president, Phunut Thanalaopanich, said it was backing the Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce in its efforts to improve  long-stay and was presenting facts on the market to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Extend the non-immigrant visa particularly for Japanese travellers, who are mainly retirees over the age of 50 and fit the profile of the long-stay visitor,” he said.

Technically, Japanese long-stay travellers  are eligible for a one-year non-immigrant visa, but they need to extend the period every 90 days at Chiang Mai Immigration Bureau, which defeats the purpose of the yearly visa provision.

This contrasts with Malaysia where Japanese long-stay visitors gain a stay of up to 10 years.

“If we can achieve a more acceptable solution, we could recruit hotels that can meet the criteria of the Japanese long-stay club in Chiang Mai as well as set at least one floor of each hotel for this market to rent.”

Some of the properties need to upgrade room designs so they have facilities similar to a serviced apartment.

So far there are around 50 to 60 hotels joining the campaign mostly located near the Night Bazaar, Nimmanhaemin and Hauy Kaew roads, popular spots for Japanese long-stay visitors. Around 15 hotels are members of THA.

Long-stay visits in Chiang Mai usually extends for a round a month and this is about the limit that a standard hotel can offer without making fundamental changes to the product; both rooms and restaurants. But they hope to extend the stay through the campaign to around one-year to fit the market norms.

“The campaign will support and encourage Japanese to choose Chiang Mai  for its culture, natural attractions and lower cost of living particularly medical fees.”

Hotels need to compete with furnished apartments and condominiums that sell  monthly rentals with a contract of up to one year. They usually offer suites with kitchens and living zones that are more appropriate for the market than standard hotels.

There are nine northern provinces where 3,500 Japanese are registered as long-stay guests. They are: Chiang Mai; Lamphun; Lampang; Chaing Rai; Mae Hong Son; Nan; Payao; Phrae and Uttaradit. The majority stay in Chiang Mai age over 50 years.

In addition, the city attracts around 3,000 Japanese and the trend towards long-stay has grown since the tsunami and earthquake hit Japan early March 2011.

Long-stay visits could earn hotels around Bt300,000 per person per year. The market could reach 10,000 to 30,000 visits well within the town’s room capacity, which has around 41,000 rooms that could cater to this market.

Sourced: ttrweekly