THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Lack of Covid jab for youngsters will make family vacations to Thailand impossible: Krungthai Compass

Lack of Covid jab for youngsters will make family vacations to Thailand impossible: Krungthai Compass

Even after the country reopens, the number of tourists visiting Thailand this year will remain low because family vacations are not yet possible, Krungthai Compass research centre said.

Kittipong Rueanthip, a senior economist at Krungthai Compass, pointed out that there is still no Covid-19 vaccine for children below the age of 16, and all tourists will have to get a Covid-19 jab before travelling.

“Many countries have agreed to issue a vaccine passport for tourists who have already received the Covid-19 vaccine,” he said.

He added that most tourists come to Thailand with their family, relatives and friends, citing a Tourism and Sports Ministry survey.

“Some 73.2 per cent of all foreign arrivals in 2015 had travelled with their family and friends, and this rose to 78.5 per cent in 2018. Also, 85 per cent of the tourists who travelled with their family brought their children too,” he said. “Hence, there will be a big change in tourism this year and next as we will see more solo travellers or couples.”

He added that Krungthai Compass expects some 2.4 million foreign arrivals in Thailand this year as many people will not have received their Covid-19 jab by the third quarter.

“Hence, the government should promote other types of tourism, like medical and wellness tourism, which have gained popularity among foreign tourists. Tourism businesses should also support their marketing strategy to support other types of tourism as well,” he added.

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