Same-sex marriage in Thailand is anticipated to steer to a rise in tourist numbers

Thailand's same-sex marriage laws, set to return into effect in January 2025, could attract an extra 4 million tourists to the country annually, in accordance with a report commissioned by travel company Agoda.

The report released Thursday estimates the nationwide marriage equality law could increase tourist arrivals by 10%, bringing the country $2 billion a yr in additional tourism revenue inside two years .

Not only same-sex couples and their wedding guests are expected to attend, but additionally representatives of the broader LGBTQ community and beyond.

“Thailand is expected to attract growing numbers of travelers and expatriate workers seeking not just a vacation spot but a place where they can feel truly accepted,” said the report, titled “The Economic Impact of “Marriage Equality on Thailand's Tourism Industry”. “

Thailand's new legislation is expected to create 76,000 full-time jobs in the tourism industry while increasing the country's gross domestic product by 0.3% the report from the policy consultancy Access Partnership.

The new law will make Thailand the third country in Asia to allow same-sex marriage, after Taiwan in 2019. to a more limited extent, Nepal in 2023. The law also seeks to grant rights to same-sex couples regarding the adoption, healthcare and inheritance of a child.

To calculate the potential economic impact of Thailand's new legislation, the report examined the impact that same-sex marriage regulations have had in other countries.

“Other markets such as New Zealand and the United States saw a significant increase in same-sex weddings following the introduction of marriage equality legislation,” Timothy Hughes, vp of corporate development at Agoda, told CNBC Travel.

New Zealand legalized same-sex marriage in 2013. By 2016, most same-sex weddings within the country were held for visitors, the report said.

According to the report, citing Statistics New Zealand, Australians accounted for greater than half (58%) of same-sex weddings in New Zealand from 2013 to 2017. That figure fell to 26% in 2017 after Australia passed its own same-sex marriage law, it said.

Agoda's report also analyzed other factors that influence international tourists, including the attractiveness of a destination, travel affordability, ease of entry and perceived acceptance of LGBTQIA+ issues.

Finally, the report also examined the availability of viable alternative travel destinations for same-sex couples in the region.

“Within a five-hour flight of Thailand, more than 3.6 billion people live in markets where marriage equality does not exist,” Hughes said.

He highlighted the economic opportunities for Indian travelers and predicted that Thailand will become a top destination “for Indian LGBTQIA+ couples and those ready to celebrate with them.”

For some, planning has already begun.

Ann Chumaporn, a Thai human rights activist and co-founder of Bangkok Pride, said her organization is organizing a mass wedding for same-sex couples on Jan. 23, 2025 – the first day marriage certificates can be filed, she said.

“We have over 300 couples registered and our goal is to reach 1,000 couples nationwide,” she told CNBC Travel. “We already have international couples registered.”

The Thai government also has its sights set on hosting WorldPridea global pride event that brought in 185.6 million Australian dollars ($120 million) for New South Wales when Sydney hosted it in 2023, the Agoda report said.

According to the report, so-called rainbow tourism is estimated to be worth $200 billion worldwide.

At a time of fierce competition for tourists – particularly tourists treating themselves to weddings and related celebrations – Thailand offers a “unique strategic opportunity,” said Marcus Ng, director at Access Partnership.

“While we cannot predict what other markets might do, this report shows that inclusivity brings clear economic benefits to both the tourism sector and the broader economy.”