How Thailand Has Boosted Air Passenger Numbers By Over 50%

by Joanna Bailey

 

Despite international restrictions, Thailand has worked to stimulate domestic travel. File photo for reference only

 

For a nation that relies on tourism for almost 20% of its GDP, the closure of borders hit Thailand harder than many other nations.

 

In a bid to support airlines and ailing hospitality businesses, the government of Thailand launched three stimulus packages targeting domestic travel. These led to an uptick in domestic flying of more than 50% in just one month – here’s how they did it.

A bitter 2020 for Thailand

Thailand is one of the nations to have taken lockdown to the most extreme levels. The nation effectively closed its borders early in the year and is yet to fully reopen to tourists. While some long-term visitors are being allowed in now, a 14-day quarantine remains in place, along with the requirement for a negative PCR test before departure and another on arrival.

 

Thailand’s prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha this week said that mass tourism would not return to Thailand until the effects of a vaccine were visible. He pegged this at mid-2021 at the earliest which, for a country that secures almost 20% of its GDP from tourism, will come as a blow to its travel industry.

 

Full story: https://simpleflying.com/thailand-air-passenger-boost/

 

-- © Copyright Simple Flying 2020-12-11

 

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So if they had 40 million people arrive in 2019 and fly internal flights as well are they now indicating that 20 million people have flown on domestic internal flights during Covid.  Not likely, but hey show me the numbers and statistical manipulation can be completed.  I know they bailed a few companies out. So are they having to justify the assistance for someone, or did someone need to thump his chest with this story to show how bitchin Thailand is.  Of course the story is written by a travel magazine called Simple Flying, but still someone thought a feel good story was needed do to the three bailouts given to the airlines.

 

Reading the article is like reading something from TAT.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

These led to an uptick in domestic flying of more than 50% in just one month – here’s how they did it.

Counting luggage as passengers would be my guess

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Prayuth Chan-ocha this week said that mass tourism would not return to Thailand until the effects of a vaccine were visible. He pegged this at mid-2021 at the earliest which, for a country that secures almost 20% of its GDP from tourism,

If mass tourism will ever return as it once was is not granted .

Definitely not with quarantine in place .

Short term tourists are likely to chose some more " easy to go to " destinations over Thailand .

BUT long term stayers will want to come ( back ) and stay in a more or less ' safe ' place at least until this Covid madness is gone ...

Thai government should facilitate their visas and stay once they are proven not to carry the virus .

They bring in lots of money , and that is what they ( Thailand ) wants , right ...?

Edited December 11, 20205 yr by nobodysfriend

Before all these tourist come to Thailand and spend 14 days in quarantine, maybe we should clean up are air? It's bad all over Thailand. People are not stupid they want value for their money. Clean it up so we all can breathe.

 

https://aqicn.org/city/thailand/bangkok/chulalongkorn-hospital/

Well if you start at zero...

3 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

So if they had 40 million people arrive in 2019 and fly internal flights as well are they now indicating that 20 million people have flown on domestic internal flights during Covid.  Not likely, but hey show me the numbers and statistical manipulation can be completed.  I know they bailed a few companies out. So are they having to justify the assistance for someone, or did someone need to thump his chest with this story to show how bitchin Thailand is.  Of course the story is written by a travel magazine called Simple Flying, but still someone thought a feel good story was needed do to the three bailouts given to the airlines.

 

Reading the article is like reading something from TAT.

That is because the readers make up what they want to read, rather than stick to the facts.

This what the article said

"These led to an uptick in domestic flying of more than 50% in just one month"

 

To most that would mean a rise from one month to the next, but not to the xenophobic.

they are suggesting, that boost was in comparison to 2019.

that is not true.

all airports were shut in the spring for many months. 

probably few of the smallest ones are still shut.

flights are decimated, as well as domestic tourism - stimulus packages for tourist industry were not taken by travellers.

simply people don't have spare money for holidays and flights are the most expensive option, so they would rather take public bus, train.

Families would rather rent a car.

All airlines, including the best ones in the world, are doomed. They survive yet by selling tickets for flights, which would not take off. And huge government help 

25 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

Well if you start at zero...

No:

Increase zero by 50% and it is still zero.

 

I would say there were 4 customers and it has not increased to 6.

17 minutes ago, AlfHuy said:

No:

Increase zero by 50% and it is still zero.

 

I would say there were 4 customers and it has not increased to 6.

I flew down to Krabi end of August and the flight was full, the domestic check in desks were mobbed.

The headline was a reference to the government travel package and it cannot be disputed that it has been a significant benefit to domestic tourism.

I have had 14 nights so far and another 5 booked, next week will be our second flight under the scheme.

The ticket prices to most destinations have dropped to almost half price , i've been to a few places by plane the last 3 months and most flights where full . So if they keep up there low prices even thai will fly and these flights where not only at weekends . So that's the increase of 50% because of the prices . They should keep it up because it seems like they still make enough to keep on going this way .

6 hours ago, webfact said:

How Thailand Has Boosted Air Passenger Numbers By Over 50%

by having one plane

An uptick from almost zero after the lockdown and suspension of domestic flights, that is.

 

They'll be able to spin similar success stories about international visitors. But compared with pre pandemic levels, it obviously still looks like the bloodbath it really is.

 

All good things come to and end huh? ????https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196265-thai-delays-relaunch-of-domestic-flights-until-jan-1-after-new-cases-found/?utm_source=newsletter-20201211-0552&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news

Edited December 11, 20205 yr by David T Pike
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