THE REALITIES OF COVID ERA TRAVEL TO THAILAND

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has formulated a strategy to support domestic tourism first and learn from the experience, as it eases into the challenge of bringing back international travellers.

In a TAT 'backgrounder' feature posted on its website the government agency said it had identified basic truths, one of them being that the tourism industry will now remain under disease control measures until a vaccine is developed to prevent this disease.

"This will affect and change all behaviour and patterns of traditional travel and tourism activities starting with the aviation experience," TAT says.

Only the strongest will travel as tourists will focus more on their health and safety. The so-call 'new normal' which in fact is highly abnormal for Thai tourism will concentrate on travelling less maintaining smaller gatherings and avoiding crowds. 

This is the antithesis of what has made Thai tourism the success it is today. Mass tourism, festivals, large scale events, a massive nightlife entertainment industry with all of its health social risks are the hallmark that gave the country 39.8 million tourists last year. This year the country will be lucky to attract a third of that total.

All markets, both mainstream and niche markets, will be evaluated for opportunities. However, Thailand's tourism industry is highly dependent on international arrivals, and ultimately, it will be consumers who decide if and when they feel comfortable enough to travel overseas.