Thailand’s plan to reopen to vaccinated guests sparks hope of tourism revival

Thai tourism companies have hailed the country’s plan to waive quarantine for vaccinated travelers from October as a positive move in positioning the country for a robust post-pandemic recovery.

However, this plan depends on the success of the Phuket Sandbox program, which is expected to start in July. According to this plan, vaccinated tourists are allowed to visit Phuket, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Krabi and Pattaya without mandatory quarantine.

Thailand could soon lift quarantine requirements for vaccinated visitors in Bangkok; An empty Erawan Shrine in the middle of the third wave of Covid-19 in Bangkok

If successful, four other cities – Bangkok, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Buriram – together with Phuket will free vaccinated tourists from quarantine from October.

In order to reopen the borders to foreign tourists, the authorities want to vaccinate more than 70 percent of the country’s population by the end of this year.

Luzi Matzig, chairman of the Asian Trails Group, said that if the plan is put into action, he is confident that Thai tourism will recover quickly as the country is expected to see an influx of tourists, particularly from Europe , will be recorded.

“Many Europeans have started to travel within the continent and some travel abroad to places like the Maldives. Soon they will be traveling to Thailand, ”he said.

This optimistic feeling is confirmed by Udom Srimahachota, General Manager of Baan Talay Dao in Hua Hin and Vice President of the Western Chapter of the Thai Hotels Association.

He predicted that four to six million foreigners, or even more, will return to Thailand in the final quarter of this year if Thailand reopens borders with no quarantine requirements for vaccinated arrivals.

However, the country must also check the availability of commercial flights flying in and out of the country.

To ensure a safe reopening for the country, digital solutions must be used, such as an app for digital contact tracking, according to Udom.

He also urged the government to rebuild trust among international travelers as tourists viewed Thailand as unsafe after the third wave of Covid-19. In addition, accommodations, travel agencies, transport companies, shops and restaurants must be prepared for the return of international tourists by implementing Covid-safe regulations.

According to Thanapon Cheewaratanaporn, managing director of Quality Express, one of the country’s largest operators serving the Chinese market, tourists from mainland China longed to return to Thailand, as were tourists from Asian countries like Vietnam and Singapore.

However, he predicted that travel patterns will change from the days leading up to the pandemic, with tourists choosing to travel in smaller groups but more frequently.

Travel costs will also rise as tourists are likely to only get high quality products and services, he said, adding that the number of budget tourists is likely to decrease compared to pre-crisis levels.