Thailand Privilege Card (TPC), the operator of Thailand Elite Card, says it aims to enrol 100 new members from Japan this year after introducing the card at the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) in Tokyo recently.
In 2018, TPC hopes to earn 670 million baht from card sales, up 20% from this year's projection. Top markets for the cards are China, Britain, the US, France and Japan.
A source at TPC said it is confident because the Tourism and Sports Ministry and the Public Health Ministry floated the idea of extending a visa exemption of up to 90 days for more countries such as Japan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal to promote medical tourism.
Currently, foreign patients from Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and China wanting to receive medical treatment in Thailand are allowed to get 90-day visas.
Thailand is focused on the medical services sector to help extend the average length of stay and expenditure.
TPC had more than 4,300 Elite Card members from different countries as of May. The card offers visa benefits, helping members stay in Thailand from five to 20 years.