Thailand’s government has confirmed that the number of foreign travellers entering the kingdom has continued to rise in recent weeks. At the current rate of recovery, Thailand could be welcoming back around 1 million holidaymakers every month by the end of the year.
These positive predictions are backed up by a recent report, called Nation Thailand, which provides reason for optimism in the sector moving forward. Among various other findings, it presents the current daily arrivals at 20,000 people – a sure sign that tourism is booming once more and the sector is returning to health.
Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana attributes the positive trends to the decision to cancel Test & Go; Thailand’s initial entry scheme, which required foreign tourists to take a PCR test on arrival and then complete mandatory quarantine at a pre-booked hotel. Although these requirements have now been lifted, all arrivals from overseas must still register with the Thailand Pass system, present proof of Covid-19 vaccination and a negative PCR test that has been taken within 72 hours of departure. The requirement for Covid-19 insurance coverage of US$10,000 is another feature that’s still in effect.
Thanakorn added that Thailand expects to see monthly arrivals reach half a million between May and September, which is traditionally the low season for the sector. The bulk of these travellers will most likely come from the short-haul market; when European and American tourists take their winter breaks from October to December, which is generally Thailand’s high season, this number is expected to reach a million.
Once China relaxes its own travel regulations and allows its citizens to go abroad, Thailand’s tourism arrivals could reach as high as 50% of pre-pandemic levels – a performance beyond the hopes and expectations outlined for the sector at the start of this year. If the trends continue on track, Thailand’s tourism sector could be set for a windfall of around 1.5 trillion baht (US$43.6 billion) in tourism revenue for 2022.
In his statement, Thanakorn also confirmed that all border checkpoints in the kingdom will fully re-open from June onwards. The news is the latest in a string of positive developments in recent weeks, providing cause for celebration in the land of smiles.
