Thai tourist city Chiang Mai is preparing for an influx of visitors after authorities waived visa requirements for Chinese nationals to revive the ailing tourism industry in Thailand.

Chinese and Kazakh holidaymakers can enter and stay in the country for 30 days without a visa. The measures started on September 25 and run until February 29, 2024.

The move will provide a much-needed boost for tourism in Thailand, whose economy relies heavily on its the sector.

With the policy now in effect, Chiang Mai city has begun preparations to receive Chinese tourists in time for the holiday season.

Saksakul Suppakrit-anant, the deputy director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's (TAT) office in Chiang Mai, said the TAT has 'made a made a strategy to align with the government's policy, considering the revenue and the influx of Chinese tourists in Chiang Mai'.

He said the TAT has coordinated with its office in China to make Chiang Mai and its offerings more appealing for Chinese tourists.

The waiver comes ahead of key Chinese holidays such as the year-end, and the Chinese New Year in 2024.

TAT said it has also launched a campaign to promote spending by highlighting the city's food, festivals, films, and fashion, with various activities scheduled for the following months.

Authorities said they hoped the travel measures will bring in at least 5 million Chinese nationals to Thailand by the end of the year.