The Thai tourism agency is all set to follow a plan where they would allow foreigners from other countries which have low infection rate from coronavirus to visit the Southeast Asian countries without a mandatory quarantine to save its tourism sector which is not at its best shape now. The quarantine waiver will primarily be targeted at Asian travelers who usually don’t stay for over two weeks, as reported by Thai language newspaper Khaosod, citing Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The proposal is now looking for a government nod and negotiations with other countries from where tourists are targeted, Yuthasak told the newspaper.
Thailand is one of the most tourism dependent economies in Asia. It’s considering many such plans to re-open its borders for some visitors.
However, unlike this plan, other proposals after the arrival do require mandatory 14-day quarantine at a hotel. The agency will look for the approval from the Cabinet next week along with a special tourist visa for long-term visitors, who can stay up to 270 days. The hospitality and tourism sectors of Thailand are eagerly looking for the return of foreign visitors, who before COVID attack, contributed two-thirds of tourism income. The sector is keen to overturn a major business fall and save millions of jobs.
The government and businesses are carefully considering all aspects before making a decision related to curbing infection risks and limiting damage to the economy, which is on track for a record contraction of 8.5% in 2020.
Tags: Thailand Tourism
