Thailand has kicked off Visit Thailand Year 2022 to stimulate international travel demand, with promotions focusing on the destination’s Amazing New Chapters that highlight the abundance of tourism products in the Kingdom, as well as the health and safety measures in place.
Along with the intensive campaign, Thailand has reconsidered its overseas target markets in light of the absence of Chinese tourists – once the country’s largest inbound source market.
Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Tourism Authority of Thailand’s deputy governor for marketing and communications, told TTG Asia: “We have been assessing which markets are likely to resume travel to Thailand, and expect Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and India to rebound first.”
He shared that the Tourism Authority of Thailand has also shifted its mass focus to niche markets to draw bleisure travellers, wellness tourists, as well as work with partners to arrange charter flights and special packages to cater to the golf market.
“Last year in November, we welcomed the first charter flight of Jeju Air (since the pandemic) that brought 83 South Korean golfers to tee off and explore Chiang Mai,” he elaborated.
For the domestic travel market, the government has rolled out a Travel Together campaign that will be carried out in phases this year to provide subsidies for accommodation, air tickets and meals. It is hoped that these subsidies would encourage Thai residents to go out and explore their backyard.
To help hotels fill their rooms during low seasons and on weekdays, locals will be encouraged to embrace workcations.
Siripakorn said: “At the end of 2022, we expect to see 120 million domestic trips made, which will generate a revenue of 630 billion baht (US$19 billion).”
Overall, the country projects it will generate around 1.3 to 1.8 trillion baht for the tourism sector in 2022, with approximately 80 billion baht from as many as 15 million tourists.
Vietnam is working towards a full reopening of her borders to international tourists by April 30, 2022.
This is a major step forward in reopening since the government allowed five localities – Phu Quoc Island, Quang Nam, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, and Quang Ninh – to join a pilot programme to welcome again foreign tourists since November last year. Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Dinh were the latest two localities to join the programme.
The country has welcomed about 8,500 international tourists from South Korea, Russia, Singapore, the UK and the US to date.
When Vietnam fully reopens her borders, all arrivals will have to present a Covid-19 vaccination certificate, issued at least 14 days before entry, or show proof of recovery from Covid-19 within six months prior to entry. They must also present a negative PCR test certificate issued no more than 72 hours prior to entry, and ensure that their travel insurance provides at least US$50,000 of Covid-19 treatment coverage.
There will be separate requirements for partially vaccinated or young children.
Under the current protocols, vaccinated individuals and those who have recovered from the virus would still be required to self-isolate for three days at their place of residence. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals are required to self-isolate for seven days.