On Monday, the State Planning Agency said Thailand aims to improve domestic tourism in the third quarter to help the combat economy, as the coronavirus pandemic affects world travel and domestic use.
The export and tourism-driven economy may decline this year by 5 % to 6%, the worst since the Asian financial crisis of 1997-98 as a consequence of the outbreak, said the Agency.
Thosaporn Sirisumphand, Secretary-General of the National Economic and social Development Committee, advised the news briefing that there are only policy investment and tax initiatives to assist the economy.
Through July, the government plans to introduce the plan for domestic travel by mid-June, he added.
"Tourism ought to be a strong stimulator for economic growth," he added. "We could give up visitors to come in if the situation improves."
Plans to improve domestic tourism would be supported by part of the government's 1 trillion baht to slash the pandemic 's job effect. This may involve vouchers for rooms and other perks, for instance, even though they are not completed, said Mr Thosaporn, who is also chairman of a expenditure oversight committee.
Global tourism expenditure last year accounted for 11.4% of GDP, while domestic tourism accounted for 6%.
International numbers to Southeast Asia may drop by 65% this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, said the Thai Tourism Authority. Air illness has killed over 5.4 million people worldwide.
Since the outbreak started in January, Thailand has confirmed 3,042 cases and 57 deaths in the region. Several businesses were permitted to restart as sluggish events.
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