Tourism operators are calling for clearer measures regarding the 300-baht tourism fee after the tourism and sports minister said levy collection will be delayed from June to September.
Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said fee collection from foreign arrivals by air must be postponed because the airlines could not adopt a selective approach between foreign tourists, Thais and expatriates.
The airlines insisted that all passengers must be treated similarly due to regulations.
The Phuket Tourist Association said if the collection is postponed for air travellers, it should also be pushed back for arrivals by land and sea.
The association agrees with a tourism fee collected and managed to help develop tourism destinations and communities, as well as cover the medical expenses of tourists in public hospitals.
Unpaid medical bills of tourists in Phuket amount to more than 10 million baht a year, it said.
The Thai Hotels Association said the delay would help ease the burden for tourists as other travel costs surge.
It said transparency in fee collection and fund management are vital for this scheme.
Earlier, Mr Phiphat said 60-70% of the fee will be earmarked for a tourism fund, while 17% will be used for medical insurance for tourists.
