Tourism officials in Thailand are shooting at a target of 5 million foreign arrivals this year. That may sound like a number, but before the latest surge of Covid-19 infections and a far cry from the nearly 40 million tourists invited to Thailand in 2019, it's half of the initial estimate expected for this year.
Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports, says Thailand needs to create trust between China, India and Malaysia to ensure that visitors feel safe visiting Thailand. Out of the 39.8 million arrivals in 2019, visitors from China, India and Malaysia make up 40 percent.
"If, under the current circumstances, we were able to attract 5 million tourists this year, that would be a success... The number of long-haul destination travelers would be insufficient to achieve the 10 million arrival target."
The Ministry of Public Health is working on a "vaccine passport" for Covid-19 that will be on a mobile device or a smart card. Phiphat reports that visitors with the vaccine passport will be allowed to reach Thailand until the scheme is ready.
Phiphat says the ministry aims to speak with the prime minister and public health regarding the participation of tourism staff in the first phase of vaccines, with Thailand's mass Covid-19 immunization programme set to launch over the next month.
Frontline health care staff and individuals over 60 who reside in places identified as having the greatest risk of illness are the first category to be vaccinated. Phiphat says that in the first priority category, people who work in the tourism sector should also be included. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is also advising the Prime Minister to distribute 5 million doses to protect the tourism industry's 2.5 million population.
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