Thailand pins hope of recovery on tourism

Reopening the tourism industry to vaccinated foreigners from November will help drive GDP growth and sustain business confidence of Thailand, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on October 11 stressed that Thailand should not lose the “golden time” to earn revenue during the end of the year, insisting the reopening date will be on November 1.

Revenue from tourism, which makes up 10 percent of Thailand’s GDP, is a quick way to boost the domestic economy, said the FTI.

The federation expects foreign arrivals would help Thailand reach its GDP growth target of 0 – 1 percent this year.

Local media on October 13 quoted FTI Chairman Supant Mongkolsuthree as saying that Thailand must learn to live with COVID-19 and let everything run by itself.

It is time for Thailand to bring back bustling business activities, while maintaining necessary measures against the pandemic, he said.

Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) Sanan Angubolkul said the agency supports the government’s plan to fully re-open to vaccinated tourists from countries deemed low risk from November 1, saying the decision is a good sign for the country’s economy.

Source - BangkokJack

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Thailand must reopen soon if it wants to survive: FTI

With such a long time since tourists were welcomed into Thailand, the Federation of Thai Industries fears that potential tourists may be wandering away from Thailand. The FTI chairman warned that the window may be closing to still attract these travellers.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but as Thailand’s closure to nearly all international tourism stretches to almost 2 years, tourists’ fond recollections of sun-drenched beaches, beautiful temples, great food, or wild nights may be fading away to a distant memory, and they may be tempted away by newer travel destination ideas.

The FTI chairman fears that Thailand has kept its doors closed and the tourism industry shuttered for too long already, and it’s time to rip off the bandage and reopen the country fully to international travellers.

He argues that now that 40% to 50% of the population of Thailand has been vaccinated, with injections continuing at a steady pace, the country is reasonably protected from Covid-19 outbreak if it were to reopen the borders.  The number of daily infections has dropped from its peak near 25,000 a day to consistently around the 10,000 per day mark.

Hospitals that were once overrun with incoming patients as authorities raced to set up hotel/hospital facilities, field hospitals, and community quarantine centres have now calmed and the previous bed shortages are no more. Thailand is prepared for the medical needs of future Covid-19 patients should a surge occur as the borders are reopened.

The FTI chairman did say that vaccination is still lagging and that before opening the country, a drive should focus on vaccinating the business sector so it is ready to open and operate safely for a full international reopening.

He stated that the economy is beginning to show signs of recovery and economic activity is fluttering to life though the Sandbox figures were disappointing, but that the gross domestic product will grow by only 1% this year and government assistance is still needed to help small to medium-sized enterprises stay afloat.

Source - The Thaiger / The Star

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Thailand must reopen soon if it wants to survive: FTI

 

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is concerned that tourists may not be interested in Thailand if the country takes too long to open its doors.

Also, he said, the number of daily cases has dropped, and Thailand has the facilities to treat Covid-19 patients. However, he said, the authorities should speed up the vaccination rate in the business sector before reopening the country.

Suphan predicted that Thailand’s gross domestic product will grow by less than 1 per cent as the number of tourists visiting under sandbox schemes was lower than expected.

He said that though the economy is showing signs of recovery and economic activities have resumed after the lifting of lockdown, the government still needs to lend a helping hand to small businesses. He said most SMEs cannot reopen due to liquidity problems.

Source - TheNation

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