Agoda collaborates with Finema to speed up Thailand Pass application process

According to search data from Agoda, Thailand tops global charts as the number one most searched destination for travel in the next six months and to aid with the anticipated influx of travellers, Agoda has collaborated with Finema, the technology company responsible for the development of Thailand Pass to help automate booking data uploads and speed up the Thailand Pass application process and reduce room for error or delays.

Since last year, the country has seen a steady increase in international visitor traffic, with Agoda search data reflecting a 500% spike in interest in the first quarter of the new year to date. 

Japan (#1), United States (#2) and Singapore (#3) are the markets most keen to head back to Thailand following the local government's efforts to revitalise international tourism with initiatives such as Thailand Pass and the Sandbox programme. European markets follow closely behind with United Kingdom (#4), France (#5) and Switzerland (#6), while other departure cities in South Korea (#7), Maldives (#8), Philippines (#9) and Indonesia (#10), round up the top ten.

As part of the Thailand Pass application process, tourists are required to provide accommodation information to verify that their booking follows Thailand entry requirements. This includes sharing booking ID, property name and location, check-in / checkout dates, and booking voucher details.  Once submitted, there is a manual process to verify all booking information against the booking vendor (such as Agoda or any hotels). As the number of travellers grow, there is a need to reduce the manual workload on both government agencies and travellers.

"While the government has made great efforts to help streamline the booking experience for travellers gearing to get back out there, with Test & Go, Sandbox and Thailand Pass, it can be daunting and time consuming for international travellers to keep track of these requirements, and the processes needed. That's why Agoda has worked on integrating its booking data seamlessly to the Thailand Pass platform in order to help travellers upload booking details automatically, reducing the room for human error," said Damien Pfirsch, Chief Commercial Officer of Agoda.

Agoda is offered as a check box option on the Thailand Pass application page. Once a user enters their booking ID, the system immediately pulls all data needed and will autofill the application form. Customers will receive instant booking validation and clear instructions on next steps – helping to speed up the review process.

"At Agoda, we want to make the customer travel experience as hassle-free as possible. We understand that the new world of travel is going to come with its fair share of challenges and want to help make it easier with our tech expertise. With this partnership, and many others we are working on in the region, we hope to help our customers through their pre-departure journeys," added Pfirsch.

Travellers looking for more details and further information on travelling into Thailand, can find relevant hotel packages at discounted rates and information via the Agoda platform