22 Apr, 2021
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has aimed to set a new target for total tourism revenue from both domestic and international tourists in 2021 after the third wave of the Covid-19 outbreak occurred in Thailand, said TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn today.
Prior to the recent outbreak, it was estimated that Thailand would earn about 1.21 trillion baht from tourism revenue this year, 50 percent higher compared to 2020. About 6.5 million foreign tourists are predicted to generate tourism income at 3.47 billion baht while Thai tourists were expected to be around 160 million people and generate income of 8.7 billion baht.
The governor revealed today, April 22nd, that the TAT may have to readjust the revenue target of tourism in Thailand to be in line with the reoccurrence of the Covid-19 situation as the tourism sector was significantly affected by the third wave of the disease outbreak.
He stated: “TAT must discuss with Minister of Tourism and Sports, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, and the private tourism and hospitality sector about the readjustment by looking at both the domestic market and the international market. However, we should consider the situation thoroughly as the new wave of the Covid-19 outbreak doesn’t only occur in Thailand, but also occurs in target tourism countries as well, such as Japan and India.”
Despite the economic impact on tourism, TAT insisted the country’s reopening scheme or the “sandbox” project to welcome vaccinated foreign tourists will still take place this year. It will be gradually pushed according to the timeline laid out by the government, which is July 1st.
Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn told the Associated Press that the Public Health Minister had urged to request at least 950,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines for 70-80 percent of the total population in Phuket by this June prior to the original island reopening plan in July.
“The Tourism Ministry will continue to proceed Phuket’s sandbox project because now the Prime Minister sees the country’s economic and tourism resurgences as a priority. The “sealed routes” in which to restrict vaccinated tourists for 7 days upon arrival is still on and is under discussion with local tourism authorities,” the Minister of Tourism concluded.
