CityNews – On October 21, there was a seminar held in Chiang Mai discussing the development of Long Stay tourism in the Upper Northern Province Cluster 1.
The seminar at the Chiang Mai Convention Centre Room at the Empress Hotel was aimed at promoting and discussing long stay tourism and visa changes for expats in the Lamphun, Lampang, Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai districts.
Joined by a number of officials such as the Chiang Mai Deputy Governor, the Mae Hong Son Deputy Governor, the Minister of Tourism and Sport, and the Consul Generals and Honorary Consuls based in Chiang Mai.
The seminar also invited a range of representatives from Japan, Korea, Chinese, Europe, America and Australia who live in the northern provinces to share their opinions and offer suggestions on how to improve long stay tourism and residency in the northern provinces.
The rise in medical tourism across Thailand along with an increase of tourist attractions in the north has increased the number of people moving to the north by more than expected in the last year.
Visitors expressed interest in a five year visa option for tourists, students and retirees, which has now been discussed in Bangkok recently, but so far there has been no official response from the Immigration Department.
Two more seminars will take place to discuss long term tourism and residency in November, (10th and 11th of November) at the Training Centre Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, in the Mae Mo district of Lampang. Another seminar will also be held at Amora Ta Pae, Chiang Mai on November 21 to raise awareness in officials and locals about long stay tourist services already being used.