The Tourism and Sports Ministry aims to reopen five islands to foreign tourists in three provinces by August.
PLANS TO RE-OPEN SOUTHERN ISLANDS BY AUGUST
30/06/2020
The Tourism and Sports Ministry aims to reopen five islands to foreign tourists in three provinces, Phuket, Krabi and Surat Thani – by August.
A ministry official revealed today (June 30) that in response to preparations to allow foreign tourists to enter Thailand by August, which is faster than the original schedule of between September and October, the ministry has discussed with the Phuket governor and tourism operators preparations for reopening of five islands in the three provinces.
“Initially, we will open five islands – Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao,” the official revealed.
“We expect residents in these areas to agree to the move because Phuket relies on tourism revenue when you take into account the province’s gross domestic product,” he said.
Above; Chewang Beach Koh Samui
The official also said the criteria to allow foreign tourists to enter the country and travel to these destinations is currently under discussion with the Public Health Ministry.
“To start with, we will limit the number of tourists depending on each area’s capability to effectively screen visitors for Covid-19,” he said.
“We plan to allow tourists to board a plane to a specified destination. If they have to take a connecting flight via Bangkok, for example, they will be prohibited from travelling in Bangkok,” he made it clear.
What was also made quite clear recently, Thailand’s tourism-revival strategy is to target big spenders seeking privacy and social distancing, NOT large numbers of visitors in the post-pandemic era. Favoring 'High End" visitors over mass tourism.
The government will initially allow a small number of arrivals, such as some business executives and health tourists. It is also working with the travel industry to identify and invite individuals in target demographics, which will probably include previous visitors to luxury resorts in the islands of Phuket, Samui, Phangan and Phi Phi according to Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn in an interview with Bloomberg.
“One person can easily spend as much as five by staying at the finest hotels,” he said, adding that full and free travel should become a “thing of the past.”
Above; Precautions put into place on the beaches of Koh Samui to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic.
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