Thailand’s goal of attracting tourism is difficult to achieve due to the widespread spread of Covid-19

The Thai government has cut its forecast for international visitors by half to 3 to 4 million this year and cut its tourism revenue forecast.
Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said that the third Covid-19 outbreak in April 2021 had affected tourism sentiment. The ministry revised its forecast for total tourism revenue for 2021 to decrease from 1,218 billion baht (equivalent to about $ 27 billion), of which domestic tourism revenue is expected to reach 550 billion baht. from international tourism is 300 billion baht.

The beaches in Phuket are empty of foreign tourists. (Photo: Bangkok Post Office) The Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand said that the number of Covid-19 cases per day has increased to more than 2,000 and is not sure how the pandemic will break out, so the previous goal is to attract 6.5 million foreign tourists in 2021 are difficult to achieve. The Thai government currently expects international arrivals by 2021 to be only 3 million to 4 million visitors. Meanwhile, local tourists are predicted to make about 100 million -120 million trips this year, down from 160 million in the previous forecast. However, Thai officials will continue to plan to attract international tourists who have been vaccinated against Covid-19, through a pilot project in the tourist city of Phuket from July 2021. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports will help distribute Covid-19 vaccine to 70% of Phuket’s residents in preparation for international tourists. Regarding the Covid-19 situation in Thailand, today (April 24), health officials of this country recorded a record high number of new cases in the day, with 2,839 cases and 8 more deaths. To date, this Southeast Asian country has recorded a total of 53,022 cases of Covid-19, of which 129 died and 22,327 are under treatment./.