Tourism
TAT cut estimate for tourism arrivals to 33 million in 2020
Thailand’s previously-robust tourism industry may lose between 6 to 10 million visitors in 2020 due to Covid-19 slowdown
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) cut its estimate for international arrivals to 33 million in 2020, while tourism businesses have been knocked hard by the Covid-19 spreading around the world.
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta) reported foreign tourists using Atta member services from January to Feb 20 was 500,232, a decrease of 40.7%. During Feb 1-20, the numbers slid 74.1% to 90,908 tourists.
But Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has painted an even darker outlook for Thailand’s previously-robust tourism industry saying says he expects tourist arrivals to plunge by 50% in the first half of 2020.
While the Thai government plans to offer the beleaguered tourist sector soft loans and tax incentives to help them weather this slowdown, the plunge in tourists will likely damage the livelihood of millions of people whose jobs are tied to tourism.
Thailand’s Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council projects the virus will push its expansion down to 1.5% this year — should the epidemic last through June — down from 2.4% last year.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to confirm that Thailand is all set to welcome fully vaccinated foreign visitors, including returning Thais and foreign residents, from the approved countries to enter the Kingdom by air with no quarantine requirements from 1 November, 2021.
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In response to the Royal Thai Government’s announcement to relax more COVID-19 controls in the dark-red zone provinces, which include the Thai capital, the Bangkok Communicable Disease Committee has also lifted restrictions effective from 16-31 October, 2021.
Restaurants and eateries, cinemas, theatres, shopping malls, sport stadiums, and public parks can now resume normal opening hours, but no later than 22.00 Hrs.
Convenience stores, fresh markets, and flea markets can open for all types of goods up until 22.00 Hrs. All 24-hour shops must close nightly from 22.00-03.00 Hrs.
Hotels, exhibition halls, convention halls, trade fair centres, or similar types of venues can open for meetings, seminars, or other types of events and ceremonies up until 22.00 Hrs., and under strict safety and health controls. Consumption of alcoholic beverages remain prohibited.
The same goes for shopping malls, shopping centres, community malls, or similar establishments, which can also open for meetings, seminars, or other types of events and ceremonies up until 22.00 Hrs., and under strict safety and health controls. Consumption of alcoholic beverages remain prohibited. Also, any sales promotional activities shall not be organised while the amusement parks, water parks, and gaming centres must remain closed.
Limits for participants in gatherings has been increased to 50, up from 25 in the previous announcement.
The night-time curfew in Bangkok has been reduced from 6 to 4 hours, or between 23.00-03.00 Hrs.
Travel between Bangkok provinces and other areas can resume normal operations but must apply social distancing measures.
All types of entertainment venues, including pubs, bars, and karaoke shops are to remain closed. However, the government mentioned that these businesses may undertake preparation to be ready for reopening.
Self-protective measures and distancing efforts
As usual, people nationwide are asked to continue abiding by the health and safety measures in place; such as, wearing a face mask at all times while outside of their residence, regularly washing hands with soap and water/cleaning alcohol, and avoiding unnecessary close contact with others.
TAT would like to remind all travellers to continue with D-M-H-T-T-A precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19: D – Distancing, M – Mask wearing, H – Handwashing, T – Temperature check, T – Testing for COVID-19, and A – alert application.
The post Bangkok lifts more COVID-19 restrictions from 16 October 2021 appeared first on TAT Newsroom.
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