Thailand to introduce fee of THB 300 per person (INR 650) for foreign tourists from April. It will be added to airfare & used to develop tourist sites and also for tourists' insurance. Tourism revenues in 2022 expected to be around THB 1.3-1.8 trillion, with THB 800 billion from foreign tourists.

Thailand, one of Asia's most popular travel destinations, has been badly hit by a pandemic-induced tourism slump, with only about 200,000 arrivals last year, compared to nearly 40 million in 2019.

While the entry fee has been in discussion for a long time, its implementation was delayed by Covid-19, said Suthipong Phuenphiphop, vice president of the Tourism Council of Thailand. The levy is similar to charges on tourists in many other countries, and the benefits that will come from the initiative will be huge compared to the nominal fee, he said.

Foreign tourists will have a maximum insurance coverage of THB 1 million each in case of death and up to THB 500,000 for hospital charges, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said. The government is targeting as much as THB 1.8 trillion in tourism revenue this year, with THB 800 billion coming from foreign visitors, he said.

The government expects 5 million foreign visitors based on the current situation, with the majority of arrivals expected from Europe and the US, Thanakorn said. If Chinese and Indian tourists return, arrivals could reach 9 million, and if land borders are reopened, that number would rise to 15 million, he said.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), unveils Norwegian Viva, the next ship in its brand-new Prima Class. With more wide-open spaces, thoughtful and stunning design and exceptional service, Norwegian Viva will begin sailing Mediterranean itineraries in June 2023, homeporting in key Southern European port cities including Lisbon in Portugal; Venice (Trieste) and Rome (Civitavecchia) in Italy; and Athens (Piraeus) in Greece. The ship will then sail the Southern Caribbean for her 2023-2024 Winter Season offering warm-weather getaways from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Mirroring the upscale design and structure of her sister ship Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva, also built by renowned Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in Marghera, Italy, will be 294 m long, has a total displacement of 142,500 gross tonnes and will accommodate 3,219 guests at double occupancy. Travellers will live up every second of their journey in the most spacious accommodations including the brands’ largest inside, ocean view and balcony category staterooms.

The world-class vessel will not only offer the highest staffing levels and space ratio of any new cruise ship in the contemporary and premium cruise categories and largest variety of suite categories available at sea but will also boast a redefined The Haven by Norwegian, NCL’s ultra-premium keycard only access ship-within-a-ship concept.

The Haven’s public areas and 107 suites designed by Piero Lissoni, one of Italy’s most renowned designers, will feature an expansive sundeck, a stunning infinity pool overlooking the ship's wake and an outdoor spa with a glass-walled sauna and cold room.

Norwegian Viva will also feature Ocean Boulevard, the 44,000 square foot outdoor walkway which wraps around the entire ship; Indulge Food Hall featuring 11 varieties of eateries; The Concourse boasting an outdoor sculpture garden; expansive pool decks and infinity style pools at Infinity Beach and Oceanwalk, showcasing glass bridges above water.

“Norwegian Viva sets the standard in the premium segment, illustrating our commitment to pushing boundaries in four main areas: wide open space, service that puts guests first, thoughtful design and experiences beyond expectation. We have taken everything our guests love to the next level with this brand-new class of ships designed with them in mind,” says Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line.