Government urged to clarify tourism marketing plan ahead of peak season

Following the government’s decision to reopen 10 more provinces to international visitors from November, tourism operators are asking for a clear plan ahead of the peak season. The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration agreed to a number of measures yesterday, including reducing curfew hours in dark red provinces, allowing a number of businesses to reopen, and extending the emergency decree until the end of the month. At the same meeting, it was agreed to reduce quarantine to 7 days for fully vaccinated arrivals from October and to reopen Bangkok and 9 other provinces from November.

However, from Friday, tourists will be able to travel directly to Krabi (including 2 new destinations of Klong Muang or Tubkaak) Phang Nga, and Koh Samui. Tourism operators in these areas are urging the government to introduce a clear marketing strategy for foreign visitors, with Charintip Tiyaphorn of the Krabi Tourism Board pointing out that such plans take time to generate demand. From October 31, flights are expected to resume from Singapore and Malaysia to Krabi, while flights from Scandinavia will resume from November 1.

“After getting approval, the marketing campaign will need at least a month to generate demand, so overseas operators and travel agents want to hear an official announcement to handle peak season bookings.”

Pongsakorn Ketprapakorn of the Phang Nga Tourism Board says a clear reopening strategy will allow operators to launch marketing campaigns and give foreign tourists time to plan their trips. There is currently confusion around the planned reopening, including questions such as whether or not tourists can take day trips to another province in their first 7 days.

Meanwhile, Ratchaporn Poolsawadee of the Koh Samui Tourism Association says hotel occupancy on the island has stalled at around 15% recently. He hopes the reopening plan will increase demand for holidays on the island, but says it will also depend on important factors such as the resumption of flights from Russia.

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THE SOURCE: Bangkok Post