Thailand’s same-sex marriage legislation, scheduled to take effect in January 2025, could attract an additional 4 million tourists to the country each year, according to a report commissioned by travel company Agoda.
A report released on Thursday estimated that the country’s marriage equality law could increase tourist arrivals by 10%, adding an additional $2 billion in annual tourism revenue to the country within two years.
Expected visitors are not only same-sex couples and their wedding guests, but also the wider LGBTQ community and other groups.
The report, titled The Economic Impact of Marriage Equality on Thailand’s Tourism Industry, said: “Thailand will attract an increasing number of tourists and foreign workers who seek not just a holiday destination but a place where they are truly accepted.” “
Thailand’s new legislation is expected to come into effect on January 22, 2025 and is expected to add 76,000 full-time jobs to its tourism industry while boosting the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 0.3% Report From public policy consultancy Access Partnership.
The new law will make Thailand the third country in Asia to allow same-sex marriage, following Taiwan in 2019. On a more limited basis, Nepal 2023. The law also gives same-sex couples rights in child adoption, health care and inheritance.
Calculate impact
To calculate the potential economic impact of Thailand’s new legislation, the report examined the impact of same-sex marriage legislation in other countries.
“In other markets such as New Zealand and the United States, there has been a significant increase in the number of same-sex weddings following the introduction of marriage equality legislation,” said Timothy Hughes, vice president of corporate development at Agoda. CNBC Travel.
New Zealand legalized same-sex marriage in 2013.
The report quoted data from Statistics New Zealand as saying that from 2013 to 2017, more than half (58%) of same-sex weddings in New Zealand were held by Australians. After Australia passed its own same-sex marriage law in 2017, that number dropped to 26%, the report said.
Within a five-hour flight of Thailand, more than 3.6 billion people live in a market without marriage equality.
Timothy Hughes
Vice President of Corporate Development at Agoda
Agoda’s report also analyzed other factors that influence international travellers, including destination attractiveness, affordability of travel, ease of entry and acceptance of LGBTQIA+ issues.
Assessing the impact of Thailand’s same-sex legislation on tourism
1. Attraction: attractiveness as a tourist destination
2. Barrier-free: Easily enter the country through visa-free concessions
3. Affordability: Cost of travel relative to other countries
4. Availability of alternatives: Proximity of other viable destinations
Finally, the report also considers the availability of viable alternative destinations for LGBTQIA+ or travelers in the region.
“Within five hours of flying from Thailand, more than 3.6 billion people live in markets without marriage equality,” Hughes said.
He highlighted the economic opportunities presented by Indian tourists and predicted that Thailand would become a top destination for “Indian LGBTQIA+ couples and those who are ready to celebrate with them.”
“Unique strategic opportunity”
For some, planning has already begun.
Ann Chumaporn, a Thai rights activist and co-founder of Bangkok Pride, said her organization is arranging a large wedding for same-sex couples on January 23, 2025, when marriage registration can be submitted Day one.
“We’ve already had over 300 couples sign up, and our goal is to reach 1,000 couples nationwide,” she told CNBC Travel. “We already have international couples registered.”
The Thai government also plans to host the World Pride FestivalAccording to a report by Agoda, the global Pride event brought in revenue of A$185.6 million (approximately US$120 million) to New South Wales when it was held in Sydney in 2023.
Agoda’s Timothy Hughes says evidence from other markets suggests couples do travel abroad to get married, even if such marriages are not legally recognized in their home countries.
Ezra Akayan | Getty Images News | Getty Images
According to the report, rainbow tourism is worth US$200 billion globally.
Access Partnership director Marcus Ng said Thailand had a “unique strategic opportunity” in an era of fierce competition for tourists, especially those who splurge on weddings and related celebrations.
“While we cannot predict what may happen in other markets, this report shows that inclusion has clear economic benefits for both the tourism industry and the wider economy.”
