The DMC community in Thailand has come together to formulate and implement a set of standards entitled Thailand Hygiene Plus Initiative (THPI), to get the message out that the country is safe to visit.
The standards cover six areas: offices, staff, ground teams, meals, vehicles and transportation, sports equipment and facilities. The standards include, but are not limited to, those to be certified by the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA).
A checklist of operational requirements has been developed and an agreement for implementation reached by all DMCs who have signed up for THPI.
Members include Abercrombie & Kent Thailand, Asia Exotica, Asian Trails, Black Rice Travel – A Member of LUXPERIA Collective, Destination Asia (Thailand), EXO Travel Thailand, Go Vacation Thailand, Khiri Travel Thailand, Panorama Destination Thailand, Remote Lands, Smiling Albino, Tour East, and Travel Exclusive Asia Thailand.
Khiri Travel’s CEO Herman Hoven said that this initiative gives international tour operators “tangible proof and meaningful assurances that we are taking extensive and proactive hygiene measures” to restore confidence while travelling in Thailand.
Daniel Fraser, founder and director of Smiling Albino, said: “When Covid hit the industry, our collective focus was on the swift and safe return of travel. The implementation of a united standard for future travel, formed through the collaboration of our peers, was natural.”
He added: “Collectively changing for the better, to create a safe and healthy travel experience for each DMC’s travellers shows that we are in this together and stronger as one.”
