Legislative change is anticipated to carry Thailand’s GDP by 0.3% by bringing in additional income from tourism in addition to producing a slew of recent jobs throughout tourism and the broader economic system
BANGKOK, December 2024 – A current research performed by the digital journey platform Agoda highlights the numerous affect of Thailand’s groundbreaking marriage equality laws on the nation’s tourism sector. In accordance with the findings, this landmark regulation is anticipated to draw a powerful inflow of an extra 4 million worldwide guests every year. In flip, this surge in tourism might generate almost USD 2 billion in added income yearly, demonstrating the profound financial advantages that could possibly be realized inside simply two years of the laws’s implementation.
Thailand same-sex marriage act – 1
The Financial Impression of Marriage Equality on Thailand’s Tourism Trade research measures the projected financial alternative introduced by Thailand’s transfer to undertake marriage equality from 22 January 2025. As the primary jurisdiction in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, and Asia’s third after Taiwan in 2019 and Nepal final yr, the initiative positions Thailand to seize a bigger slice of the worldwide rainbow tourism market, valued at over USD 200 billion yearly.
The report additionally quantifies the projected trickle-down advantages of the legislative transfer to the broader Thai economic system, estimating that, inside two years, the inflow of an extra 4 million worldwide guests yearly might;
- enhance tourism receipts by roughly USD2 billion every year—of which, round USD 7 billion would go to lodging, USD 0.4 billion to meals and beverage providers, USD 0.4 billion to retail spending, USD 0.2 billion to home transportation, with USD 0.2 billion throughout different areas together with leisure and medical providers;
- help an extra 152,000 FTE jobs, 76,000 instantly inside the tourism trade and an additional 76,000 throughout the broader Thai economic system, and;
- carry Thailand’s Gross Home Product (GDP) by 0.3%.
Whereas Thailand is already established as a number one tourism vacation spot, this legislative growth is ready to bolster its attraction to LGBTQIA+ vacationers in search of welcoming locations, particularly as travellers worldwide show an rising desire for diversity-driven and inclusive journey experiences.
Thailand stands on the point of a big transformation because it turns into the third nation in Asia to embrace marriage equality. This progressive transfer positions Thailand as a welcoming oasis for LGBTQIA+ {couples} from neighboring nations who want to commemorate their love in a rustic that actively acknowledges and celebrates same-sex marriages. Famend for its beautiful landscapes and vibrant tradition, a lot of Thailand’s cities have already gained a fame as premier vacation spot marriage ceremony spots. With the introduction of marriage equality, the marriage trade in Thailand is poised for outstanding progress, probably invigorating associated sectors comparable to hospitality, catering, and leisure. This laws not solely marks a milestone for equality but additionally guarantees to reinforce the nation’s economic system and cultural variety.
Timothy Hughes, Vice President of Company Improvement at Agoda and Government Sponsor for Agoda Pleasure mentioned: “The LGBTQIA+ neighborhood is a strong financial pressure with a powerful urge for food for journey. Whereas already a well-liked vacation spot for LGBTQIA+ travellers, this transfer is anticipated to additional solidify Thailand’s fame as an inclusive vacation possibility. At Agoda, we’re excited to see the substantive financial affect that the inflow of travellers may have on native companies and communities. We’ll proceed working with our native companions to ship distinctive journey experiences for this neighborhood.”
Knowledgeable by discussions with distinguished figures from the trade, together with representatives from Bangkok Pleasure, the report underscores the potential benefits of the proposed laws. By paving the way in which for large-scale occasions like WorldPride, this initiative might considerably improve international visibility and consciousness round LGBTIQIA+ points. Traditionally, such occasions have demonstrated their capability to considerably elevate LGBTQIA+ tourism and shopper spending within the international locations that host them, creating vibrant alternatives for communities and native economies alike.
“The enactment of the Marriage Equality Act marks a monumental step ahead for Thailand, not solely in advancing equal rights for the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood but additionally in solidifying the nation’s fame as a really inclusive and secure vacation spot,” mentioned Waaddao Chumaporn, President and Founding father of Naruemit Pleasure and Organizer of Bangkok Pleasure Competition 2024. “By embracing variety and guaranteeing that every one {couples}, no matter gender or orientation, have equal rights in marriage, Thailand demonstrates its management in championing progress and human dignity. We imagine this daring transfer will encourage deeper belief, appeal to extra guests, and encourage significant engagement with our vibrant tradition.”
Henry Koh, Government Director, Worldwide Lesbian, Homosexual, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Affiliation (ILGA) Asia mentioned: “The unlucky actuality is that greater than half of LGBTQIA+ travellers from the Asia Pacific area have skilled some kind of discrimination whereas travelling, making security a key consideration for them as they journey. By enacting this pivotal legislative change, Thailand is establishing itself as a safe and most well-liked vacation spot that may present them with the in any other case unavailable alternative to conduct a vacation spot marriage ceremony, for instance.”
Main public coverage consultancy, Entry Partnership calculated the report findings by an evaluation of nations which have enacted marriage equality legal guidelines. This evaluation revealed a mean improve of roughly 10% in worldwide customer arrivals two years after the laws got here into pressure.
Additional, research point out that vacationers usually tend to go to international locations that help LGBTQIA+ rights, with 43% of LGBTQIA+ travellers cancelling journeys after they understand a vacation spot as unsupportive of LGBTQIA+ rights.
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Learn: Tips on how to get a CENOMAR within the Philippines (Certificates of No Marriage)
