Thailand is expected to prioritise tourism hot spots in the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination programme, following advice from leading experts, ministers and government think tanks. The industry’s revival is expected to be supported by a swift and successful completion of vaccinations, focusing on destinations popular with foreign tourists.
“The recovery of the tourism industry depends on the government’s capability to arrange vaccine distribution,” said Danucha Pichayanan, who is secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC); a government department that reports directly to the Prime Minister. “The faster the government distributes vaccines, the better the country’s tourism industry recovery as well as Thailand’s economic growth,” he added.
The NESDC is Thailand’s national economic planning agency, with four regional offices in Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Songkhla and Nonthaburi. Representatives from the agency have also highlighted vaccinations as a possible alternative to quarantine – a feature of the current approach that’s been seen by many as a deterrent to potential visitors. Under the new proposals, Thailand’s government would welcome travellers from countries that have effective Covid-19 vaccinations already in place.
Thailand has experienced a rise in new cases recently, forcing many tourism industry experts to adjust their timeframes and downgrade expectations for the year ahead. On 15th February, the number of foreign arrivals projected for 2021 was cut from 5 million to 3.2 million, following a spate of new infections in Thailand. These are expected to peak in February, then begin to stabilise and decline in March, as testing results echo the government response. Regional and international outbreaks are also expected to impact the speed and scale of Thailand’s tourism revival in the months ahead.
“The new wave of Covid-19 spreading in countries such as Italy, Finland, Brazil, Turkey, Iran and our neighbouring nations like Malaysia and Indonesia will definitely freeze the recovery of Thailand’s tourism industry,” said Danucha. Developing countries are expected to distribute vaccines to 50% of their populations this year, with 75% covered by the first half of 2022.
Thailand’s Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed on 15th February that the first 200,000 doses of China’s Sinovac vaccine are ready for shipments and scheduled to arrive on 24th February, and the first round of vaccinations in Thailand should be completed by the end of the month. Led by a combination of expert advice, public opinion and economic necessity, Thailand’s Covid-19 response is finally putting tourism top of the agenda.
