Tourism Council Urges Government to Relax Restrictions to Revitalize Industry

[webfact]

 

by Paul Rujopakarn

    

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) has stated that the local tourism scene remains in a ‘comatose’ state, adding that the Kingdom needs at least 16 million visitors and 1.2 trillion baht in revenue to resuscitate the industry.

 

TCT President Chamnan Srisawat noted that many countries - such as the United States and several European and Asian nations - have been relaxing entry restrictions in order to rejuvenate their tourism sectors.

 

He urged the Thai government to consider similar moves, insisting that once these restrictions are relaxed, several sectors will immediately benefit.

 

These can include construction, real estate, agriculture and food, as well as the healthcare and wellness sectors.

 

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Chamnan also reiterated that SMEs and local entrepreneurs should recover quickly as more tourists make their way to the Kingdom.

 

The TCT president said the agency aims to attract at least 16 million foreign visitors to Thailand and 75 million local travelers, generating 1.2 trillion baht in revenue. Relaxing curbs would also spur employment and generate billions of baht in tax income.

 

To that end, the TCT has suggested that the administration remove the Thailand Pass scheme and replace the mandatory RT-PCR test-upon-arrival requirement with the more convenient ATK tests. It also floated the idea of establishing a fund to develop human resources and marketing technology, and to provide liquidity for tourism businesses.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-03-30

 

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[grego49]

Just think of all the tourist dollars being spent in other countries with no restrictions and no test and go scams,,

[ourmanflint]

Surely there must have been 16 million visitors since December TAT? 

[Thailand]

All you have to do to get tourists back is ----never mind why bother!

[Zack61]

Why bother with the ATK test? The virus is rampant and ATK tests would do little to nothing to alleviate this problem.

Yes, by all means, encourage people to test when they feel symptoms but a one off test is absolutely useless as it is very possible to contract covid 5 minutes after receiving a negative test. Remove all impediments and the masses may respond. Seems like they are finding it difficult to wean themselves off the silly testing regime they have put in place.

[off road pat]

,....."at least 16 million foreign visitors to Thailand and 75 million local travelers, generating 1.2 trillion baht in revenue.",...!?!?!? where do they get all those numbers ???

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

These can include construction, real estate, agriculture and food, as well as the healthcare and wellness sectors.

Hoping the Golden goose will rise like a Phoenix from the flames.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, Zack61 said:

Why bother with the ATK test? The virus is rampant and ATK tests would do little to nothing to alleviate this problem.

Gouging tourists must continue.

[TheFishman1]

Get rid of thai pass

[mran66]

As long as there is a mandatory arrival test of any kind, very risky for normal families to come for a vacation on here (due to the consequences of positive test). In no case I would even consider for 1-2 wk vacation with kids if myself or my partner would have a job to return to after holiday season.

 

Pre-test only is justifiable as long as being infected is considered an issue, and if they do not trust some countries test results, better make arrival test country specific only to such nations. After that revival will slowly start. 

 

 

[marcho]

14 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

Get rid of thai pass

Just do it like Australia,  must be fully vaccinated, have a RAT test 24hrs before you leave your country, then 1 within 24hrs after arriving,  then another after 5 days

[curtklay]

Meanwhile, the CDC in the US has elevated Thailand to the highest risk level 4, with the advice "avoid travel to Thailand".

What the ****??

Edited March 30, 2022 by curtklay

[Photoguy21]

From what I remember "and 75 million local travelers" which I assume are Thai nationals being referred to, is more than the population of the country. In 2020 it was just under 70 million. Has there been an explosion of births in the last two years?

[MaiDong]

13 minutes ago, curtklay said:

Meanwhile, the CDC in the US has elevated Thailand to the highest risk level 4, with the advice "avoid travel to Thailand".

What the ****??

Perhaps in retaliation for ripping off US citizens upon entry to Thailand? 

[RichardColeman]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

It also floated the idea of establishing a fund to develop human resources and marketing technology, and to provide liquidity for tourism businesses.

I sense a request to fleece ask for donations from incoming passengers again

[CG1 Blue]

29 minutes ago, marcho said:

Just do it like Australia,  must be fully vaccinated, have a RAT test 24hrs before you leave your country, then 1 within 24hrs after arriving,  then another after 5 days

I'm confused - these are exactly the measures that are keeping tourists away from Thailand. Or were you being sarcastic? 

[CG1 Blue]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

To that end, the TCT has suggested that the administration remove the Thailand Pass scheme and replace the mandatory RT-PCR test-upon-arrival requirement with the more convenient ATK tests.

There was me thinking here's an organisation that understands how to get tourists back. And then they go and spoil it by saying there should still be tests on arrival. 

How is it so hard to understand?!

 

1. Most holidaymakers will not go to a country that tests people on arrival!!! 

2. Covid is already rampant in Thailand, so testing arrivals serves no purpose!!! 

 

 

 

[zzaa09]

57 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Hoping the Golden goose will rise like a Phoenix from the flames.

That would only apply if particular circles continue to get their cut.....

[ukrules]

Until they remove all of the nonsense then hardly anyone will come.

 

It's as simple as that.

 

They should watch what happens to Spain this coming summer, it's going to be carnage as Spain is replaced as the default destination for many UK tourists who will go elsewhere because it's easier and cheaper to do so.

 

The Spanish will relent, it's just a matter of time, but maybe they leave it too late for this year.

 

Edited March 30, 2022 by ukrules

[Mickc]

50 minutes ago, marcho said:

Just do it like Australia,  must be fully vaccinated, have a RAT test 24hrs before you leave your country, then 1 within 24hrs after arriving,  then another after 5 days

Now no test is required before boarding a flight either, not sure if the day 5 test is even required anymore... 

[RafPinto]

Lelax like the ladies say.
No tinking too mut.

[metisdead]

A troll post has been removed.

[mrfill]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

many countries - such as the United States and several European and Asian nations - have been relaxing entry restrictions in order to rejuvenate their tourism sectors.

No, they have relaxed (or removed completely) restrictions because they have decided they are not necessary any more. It's not all about tourism.

[CG1 Blue]

35 minutes ago, ukrules said:

Until they remove all of the nonsense then hardly anyone will come.

 

It's as simple as that.

 

They should watch what happens to Spain this coming summer, it's going to be carnage as Spain is replaced as the default destination for many UK tourists who will go elsewhere because it's easier and cheaper to do so.

 

The Spanish will relent, it's just a matter of time, but maybe they leave it too late for this year.

 

Totally agree that the amount of nonsense determines number of holidaymakers. More nonsense = less tourism. Simple equation really. 

 

Spain though, they only require the Spanish health form thing to be done before arrival. Oh and masks inside public buildings. So it's almost back to normal. 

That said, I was in Tenerife a couple of weeks ago and numbers are still down compared to pre-Covid. 

[2 is 1]

1 hour ago, Photoguy21 said:

From what I remember "and 75 million local travelers" which I assume are Thai nationals being referred to, is more than the population of the country. In 2020 it was just under 70 million. Has there been an explosion of births in the last two years?

So nobody cant travel like 2 times/ year?! Before covid we travel almost every weekend some place to relax or see new places. 

[alex8912]

1 hour ago, curtklay said:

Meanwhile, the CDC in the US has elevated Thailand to the highest risk level 4, with the advice "avoid travel to Thailand".

What the ****??

Thank god 90% of Americans have learned to completely ignore the CDC. That wouldn't stop anyone from coming or not coming. It's the other things. 

[davemos]

Cambodia is open 

[alex8912]

What they should do ( but common sense is low) is to just scrap the 60 day tourist visa completely. Anyone from any country who would already be excepted for 30 day visa exempt should be able to come here for 60 days with no fee. I remember several years before 2015 that double entry and triple entry visas were free.  You still had to do some paperwork for those however. The poster who may comment " but do you know what my Thai girlfriend had to go through to go to the UK or Canada or wherever " please spare your comment. If you can't figure out the difference then it's a hopeless discussion.  Even 90 days visa exempt would start to get longer term snow birds, digital nomads , young people who just want to travel AND have money$$. It's so stupid Thailand doesn't do  this. Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Singapore don't do this visa stuff for soooo many countries! Why does Thailand? 

Edited March 30, 2022 by alex8912

[Jimbo53]

26 minutes ago, 2 is 1 said:

So nobody cant travel like 2 times/ year?! Before covid we travel almost every weekend some place to relax or see new places. 

Your Dreaming!!!

There is no way near 50% of the Thai population travel anywhere twice per year,most of them have no money to feed themselves,let alone go on holiday domestically,or internationally! A trip in the back of a pick up to a nearby beach at the weekend does not constitute holiday travel.. Wake up!

[cncltd1973]

The gov't is taking such a hardline stance against tourism that you have to wonder if this is about a land grab for the top 1% to pack their portfolios? Crisis like these dramatically increase the wealth of those at the top, at the expense of everyone else; once they've reached their goal they'll open up the country and their investments will double. Hegemony at it's worst.