'Shaky recovery in tourism in sight'
(Pavel V. Khon / Shutterstock.com)
Two weeks after Thailand's reopening, businesses are seeing signs of a tourism recovery, despite disappointing arrivals from international tourists.
Companies are asking the government to relax entry conditions, to ease the Covid-19 restrictions and for financial support packages for the industry.
Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of the Thai Hotels Association, says there are positive signs after the reopening on November 1 and hotel bookings are expected to increase in December and January. Tour operators have put together promotional campaigns and special packages to bring in much-needed revenue.
However, she reiterates the concerns of tourism organizations about the quarantine requirements that foreign guests have to meet when they return home after their holiday here. For some countries, Thailand remains a high-risk country and people are hesitant to holiday abroad if they have to quarantine upon returning to their home country.
Marisa calls on the government to continue talks with those countries about easing quarantine restrictions. Without mandatory home quarantine, these tourists are more likely to choose Thailand as a holiday destination.
Source: Bangkok Post
The tourism industry is waiting for the tourists but we can't get visas before the beginning of December. Hopefully it will all be okay because I have booked my flight tickets and hotel for mid-December and paid everything.
I had everything arranged by Visaplus in Naaldwijk, within 1 day after I had sent everything, we had the Thailand Pass.
With a visa application it takes about 1 week longer, they told me.
Easing quarantine obligations will help, but still!
No entertainment, no alcohol, no massages and all those other things that make Thailand so cozy.
Difficult to get proper health certificate accepted by the Thai unless you take out Thai insurance. But then you are now insured 3x.
There are some handicaps on the route, including hard-to-get visas due to the long waiting times at the embassy and consulates.
I've booked a hotel but I'm starting to have my doubts.
No entertainment, no alcohol, no massages and all those other things that make Thailand so cozy.
But you are in Thailand, all nice people, good food, beautiful sunsets, a nice cool breeze from the sea in the evening and a good feeling of being in the right place.
What else do you want?
Do they really think that the whole world wants to go to Thailand because they say they will open on November 1st ??? Enough problems in Europe to think about Thailand. Of course nice for the people who either live there or have family in Thailand, but we don't call that tourists.
I have been in Thailand since October 22, first 1 week in Phuket in the sandbox, several bars were open in Phuket, but they closed early, alcohol was also served.
After 1 week we went to Jomtien, where the bars are indeed closed, but there are cafes open that do not serve alcohol, but there is only fun with alcohol.
However, there is normal alcohol available in the supermarkets and you can just drink it on the beach, there are special chairs set up there in the evening.
I find everyone very negative here, who give answers here on Thailand Blog !
The weather is great, the occasional rain shower, I am very happy to be back!!!!!
The definition of a holiday is something different for most tourists than what the possibilities are now.
The people who really have something to look for in Thailand like; family, a girlfriend or wife, to run a business may try, but the real tourist who has 2-3 weeks of vacation a year and an average salary will wait another year.
The latter group also represents the largest group.
Just returned to NL from 10 days Phuket Sandbox. Everything there pretty much as before covid. Bangla Road very much open and pleasantly busy. Beaches wonderfully quiet. Jungcylon and Central still closed, no not due to Covid rules, but just too few tourists. Centralfestival in Phuket City is open normally. Yes, with only about 20% of the normal number of foreigners, things are still closed, but as more tourists come, they will open again. Anyway, I had a great time. Gr. Paul