Thailand Might Open Up For Tourists Soon; Tourism Chief Says Will Have 8 Million Tourists in 2021

Disappointed that you can’t travel to Hong Kong until Dec 2020 at the earliest? And even that isn’t a guarantee?

Well, a closer destination might be opening up earlier than you think.

Thailand Might Open Up For Tourists Soon

According to Thailand’s tourism authority chief, Yuthasak Supasorn, the country expects to receive 1,200 tourists after easing travel curbs slightly.

Similar to Singapore, Thailand depends heavily on tourism-generated revenue, which forms about 20% of its GDP in 2019.

And with the Covid-19 pandemic, the country found its tourism-dependent economy floundering.

In Oct 2020, Thailand registered 1,201 foreign visitors in October. Yes, there are over a thousand people willing to travel to Thailand despite the stringent requirements, including the sky-high amount of money needed and the 90-day stay.

It’s a drop in the ocean compared to the 3.07 million travellers in Oct 2019 but hopefully, Yuthasak said, this will send the signal that Thailand is opening up to tourists.

Each of the tourists is expected to spend between 200,000-400,000 baht (S$8,828.06 – S$17,656.11) during their stay.

Will Have 8 Million Tourists in 2021

Despite only having lesser than two thousand tourists, Yuthasak says that Thailand is expecting to receive 8 million tourists in 2021.

This isn’t the “best-case” scenario either as he took into account the fact that global travel may remain dead until late into 2021.

Nonetheless, he added, it’s hard to predict as the situation is “fluid” and whether it improves or not depends on the Covid-19 situation in other countries, and when a vaccine would be ready.

Private Tourism Groups “Ready”

According to CNA, a private tourism group feels that the tourism industry is “ready” but the country isn’t.

They’re hoping for 10 million foreign visitors next year and hope that Thailand will open up further and remove the pesky quarantine requirement.

“Our customers are ready to travel and agents are also ready but our country is not open.”

Who Can Enter Thailand Now?

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singapore, Thailand is currently only open to:

• Spouses of Thai nationals
• Permanent Residents
• Work permit holders
• Students of approved education institutes
• Seeking medical treatment
• Under special arrangements
• Those who can stay for 60 days
• APEC cardholders from low-risk countries
• On official duties
• Foreign workers with official documents
• Pilots & Cabin Crew of Thai Airways on repatriation flights

Meanwhile, the country is also seeking to open an air travel bubble with China.

Covid-19 Situation in Thailand

As of the time of writing, Thailand recorded 3,961 Covid-19 cases in total and has 60 deaths.

The country seems to have passed the peak of Covid-19 transmission back in Apr 2020, and have been keeping transmission down successfully since then.

Featured Image: itman__47 / Shutterstock.com