France Want More Thai Tourists

France will make it easier for Thai people to obtain visas by cutting waiting times to a maximum of 48 hours as they attempt to boost tourism to the country. The move will also reduce visa application approval times for seven other nations.

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, announced the changes following a drop in visitors to the country, most likely related to the terror attacks in Paris and Nice in 2016.

The aim to is to attract 100 million tourists to France per annum by 2020, increasing the number from 83 million at the last count.

Nations that will benefit from the move, which comes into force from November 1st are Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Russia and of course Thailand.

Waiting times are currently around ten days for visa approvals, often longer when demand is high.

Plans are afoot to increase staffing levels at airports to speed up the check in process for visitors too.

France appreciate the money that tourism brings to the country, with two million people being employed in the tourist industry. Over 7% of the nations income is generated by visitors to France.

Source: Bangkok Post

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