Thailand takes tentative first steps into new era of post-pandemic tourism

[webfact]

 

By Gaspar Ruiz-Canela

 

Bangkok, Nov 23 (EFE).- Thailand’s main tourist attractions remain half empty, although the number of visitors has been gradually increasing since the country opened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers from more than 60 countries this month.

 

The authorities also took advantage of its pandemic border closures to advocate for a more environmentally sustainable reopening focused on fewer visitors but with greater purchasing power.

 

Tourism, which until the pandemic accounted for up to 20 percent of the Thai GDP, plummeted from 40 million visitors in 2019 to just 6.7 million in 2020, a drop of more than 80 percent, due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.

 

Although tourist arrivals are now increasing, iconic landmarks in the capital Bangkok, such as the Grand Palace and the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) remain almost deserted, hurting businesses and workers in the sector but offering some advantages to visitors.

 

Full story: https://www.laprensalatina.com/thailand-takes-tentative-first-steps-into-new-era-of-post-pandemic-tourism/

 

-- © Copyright La Prensa Latina 2021-11-24

 

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[spidermike007]

Extreme timidity and cowardice comes at a very heavy price. 

[JCP108]

"...to advocate for a more environmentally sustainable reopening focused on fewer visitors but with greater purchasing power."

 

I still don't get what this means.

 

What we do see is that they put in place policies (Thailand Pass) to eliminate all but the most insane/motivated travelers (mostly not tourists but those of us with ties to Thailand [thus, maybe, more spending "power" while there longterm]). So, it is more "environmentally" friendly as they have discouraged so many from dealing with the hassles of tryng to get in. Fewer people trashing the beaches, I suppose. We also, so far, don't have to deal with annoying busloads of Chinese tour groups (though that's not because Thailand is wanting to keep them out as much as China not wanting them to come visit yet).

[gargamon]

4 minutes ago, JCP108 said:

"...to advocate for a more environmentally sustainable reopening focused on fewer visitors but with greater purchasing power."

 

I still don't get what this means.

 

What we do see is that they put in place policies (Thailand Pass) to eliminate all but the most insane/motivated travelers (mostly not tourists but those of us with ties to Thailand [thus, maybe, more spending "power" while there longterm]). So, it is more "environmentally friendly" as they have discouraged so many from dealing with the hassles of tryng to get in. 

Don't be naive. It's the old story again, looking for high quality rich tourists that will drop a lot of money, and get rid of the lower class expats, backpackers, drunks, etc. First time I heard it was from Thaksin, but it was likely around long before then.

[RichardColeman]

40 minutes ago, webfact said:

Although tourist arrivals are now increasing

OK prove that they are genuine tourists and not Thais and returning expats. 

[asiasurfer]

Another day, another nonsense. Returning Expats are labeled as tourists, wishful thinking in terms of rich tourists spending zillion of $$$, nightlife, bars closed, booze ban. Did I forget any?

 

Anyway, I don't really miss any tourists. Feeling sorry for some business owners who rely on this sector. But for many I don't. 

[fredscats]

Another covid wave is a racing certainty for Thailand,open the shutters,bang them down again

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, gargamon said:

Don't be naive. It's the old story again, looking for high quality rich tourists that will drop a lot of money, and get rid of the lower class expats, backpackers, drunks, etc. First time I heard it was from Thaksin, but it was likely around long before then.

And there are a dozen good reasons why Thailand only gets 20-50 very rich tourists a year. And no sacrifices are being made by the ignorant ones to attract them now. 

[Iforbach]

Total nonsense..they hv more spin than a disc jockey 

[Laughing Gravy]

Thank you for my daily medicine of laughter. Priceless.

[BostonRob2]

2 hours ago, JCP108 said:

"...to advocate for a more environmentally sustainable reopening focused on fewer visitors but with greater purchasing power."

 

I still don't get what this means.

 

What we do see is that they put in place policies (Thailand Pass) to eliminate all but the most insane/motivated travelers (mostly not tourists but those of us with ties to Thailand [thus, maybe, more spending "power" while there longterm]). So, it is more "environmentally" friendly as they have discouraged so many from dealing with the hassles of tryng to get in. Fewer people trashing the beaches, I suppose. We also, so far, don't have to deal with annoying busloads of Chinese tour groups (though that's not because Thailand is wanting to keep them out as much as China not wanting them to come visit yet).

Him geen, want tourist big money.

[smedly]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Bangkok, Nov 23 (EFE).- Thailand’s main tourist attractions remain half empty, although the number of visitors has been gradually increasing since the country opened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers from more than 60 countries this month.

Yes it went from 0 to 2, that's a huge increase in percentage 

 

I wonder how long they had to wait for that photo

[aussiexpat]

"Thailand’s main tourist attractions remain half empty"

 

So 90,000 "tourists" have entered this month and tourists attractions are half full? How did they handle the 3.3 Million tourists a month in 2019 if that's the case lol

[Will B Good]

1 hour ago, fredscats said:

Another covid wave is a racing certainty for Thailand,open the shutters,bang them down again

I would have put my money on that in the past....but they seem to be able to dodge the bullet each time??? Mask wearing, social distancing, climate.....who knows?

[Gsxrnz]

3 minutes ago, Classic Ray said:

How can there have been 6.7 million tourists in 2020 when the borders were almost entirely shut during this period?

They all arrived in the 2020 high season of 2 1/2 months before they shut the doors in March 2020.

[Gsxrnz]

4 minutes ago, aussiexpat said:

"Thailand’s main tourist attractions remain half empty"

 

So 90,000 "tourists" have entered this month and tourists attractions are half full? How did they handle the 3.3 Million tourists a month in 2019 if that's the case lol

They forgot to note that 90% of the tourist attractions/businesses are closed.  

[Classic Ray]

4 minutes ago, Gsxrnz said:

They all arrived in the 2020 high season of 2 1/2 months before they shut the doors in March 2020.

Thanks I deleted my comment after checking the border closure date, which I thought had been earlier.

[herfiehandbag]

11 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

I would have put my money on that in the past....but they seem to be able to dodge the bullet each time??? Mask wearing, social distancing, climate.....who knows?

Don't test? Don't report? Don't mention the war?

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s main tourist attractions remain half empty, although the number of visitors has been gradually increasing since the country opened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers from more than 60 countries this month.

Half empty.... deserted is the word!

[DUNROAMIN]

Get over it, this is happening all around the world. Nobody wants to travel with restrictions and endless paperwork. Lets  not forget, 2 weeks quarantine if you test + from a PCR test.

[bojo]

17 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

I would have put my money on that in the past....but they seem to be able to dodge the bullet each time??? Mask wearing, social distancing, climate.....who knows?

Life outdoors more, compared to the West, less hand shaking, more waiing and plenty of mask wearing all contribute and yes, defo climate.........................................

[Millcx]

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Extreme timidity and cowardice comes at a very heavy price. 

There won’t be a sniff of tourists until Bars and Entertainment venues are open … do these people think we go on holiday for Temples ???

[GeorgeCross]

they'll get their quality tourists..

 

they're the only ones who can afford to travel

 

 

[farangroby]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

sustainable reopening focused on fewer visitors but with greater purchasing power

Thailand is ready for tourism, but the tourists are ready for Thailand?

[Gsxrnz]

12 minutes ago, Millcx said:

There won’t be a sniff of tourists until Bars and Entertainment venues are open … do these people think we go on holiday for Temples ???

Governments around the globe are in denial and are confusing it with a large river in northern Africa.

 

They know they've overreached (because that's what they're good at) and believe the only way to retain control is to maintain control for even  longer.  If they suddenly said "whoops, back to normal guys, looks like we over reacted just a tad", their heads would roll - some politically and some in reality.

 

Only by drip feeding our freedoms can they eventually finish up in a stronger position than when they started.  The hidden truth that few comprehend is that this last 18 months and the next 24 months will see the biggest movement of wealth in the history of mankind.

 

 

[CartagenaWarlock]

4 hours ago, JCP108 said:

What we do see is that they put in place policies (Thailand Pass) to eliminate all but the most insane/motivated travelers (mostly not tourists but those of us with ties to Thailand [thus, maybe, more spending "power" while there longterm]). So, it is more "environmentally" friendly as they have discouraged so many from dealing with the hassles of tryng to get in. Fewer people trashing the beaches, I suppose. We also, so far, don't have to deal with annoying busloads of Chinese tour groups (though that's not because Thailand is wanting to keep them out as much as China not wanting them to come visit yet).

No more large buses crisscrossing small Pattaya alleys meant for motorcycles. No more drunk bride seekers and orgy lovers hopping baht buses from brothels to brothels (bars to bars), no more sexual innuendos for local girls in baht buses that people won't dare to say in London buses. 

[Tracyb]

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Extreme timidity and cowardice comes at a very heavy price. 

What was that famous quote from French Royalty?  Oh ya, “Let them eat cake!”

 

Now, where is “Madame Defarge” hanging out?

[Gsxrnz]

3 minutes ago, CartagenaWarlock said:

No more large buses crisscrossing small Pattaya alleys meant for motorcycles. No more drunk bride seekers and orgy lovers hopping baht buses from brothels to brothels (bars to bars), no more sexual innuendos for local girls in baht buses that people won't dare to say in London buses. 

Yep, we're all missing it as well.

[dallen52]

Just words.

Blah Blah Blah.

TAT regurgitation of numbers and words with little or no meaning.

Look at the TP or arrival T6's.

The majority of these people are NOT tourists.

Returning expats.

With families.

Or coming back to sell up and clear out...

[dallen52]

1 hour ago, aussiexpat said:

"Thailand’s main tourist attractions remain half empty"

 

So 90,000 "tourists" have entered this month and tourists attractions are half full? How did they handle the 3.3 Million tourists a month in 2019 if that's the case lol

They believe their own drivel.

Nobody else does...