Tourism Authority Thailand (TAT) met with key Australian media including Karryon yesterday in Sydney to share more details of Thailand’s nationwide reopening to Australian travellers from 1 April.
Attending the event were The TAT Deputy Governor Khun Tanes, Thailand Ambassador Khun Busadee, Thai High Consul, TAT delegates from Bangkok and Pauline Leong from Thai Airways.
The good news for Australians is that travel to Thailand will be getting easier from 1 April, thanks to the country lifting its pre-arrival test requirement. Travellers will be allowed to enter Thailand without the current need to show proof of a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours of travel.
Find out more about the latest Thailand travel details here.
Speaking at the event held at Café Sydney, Thailand Ambassador Khun Busadee said the meeting was timely as it was the first time they were able to receive a delegation from Thailand at office given it had only been one month since Australia reopened its borders.
“I think this shows our intention not only to join you in celebrating the much-awaited resumption of international travel but also our commitment to welcome the positive trend towards travelling as restrictions in many parts of the world ease as we learn to live with COVID-19,” she said.
“In my opinion, travelling to Thailand can provide that comfortable escape simultaneously with amazing tourist attractions in a relaxing and safe atmosphere,” said Ms Busadee.
Remarking that it was his first international trip from Thailand since the pandemic began, Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Asia and South Pacific), Tanes Petesuwan, also shared an overview of the Kingdom’s “Amazing New Chapters” and future direction for tourism.
Mr Petesuwan was especially keen to stress the critical nature of Thailand’s “New way” and sustainable approach to tourism, saying that it would now be National policy.
“In the past, mass tourism damaged a lot of our local life. Of course, we gained revenue from tourism, but we paid at the same time which is why we sometimes say that Thai people smile with tears too,” he said.
The five ‘Amazing New Chapters’ of transformation will include
- One: A focus on promoting work and leisure travel in Thailand. Specifically digital nomads taking advantage of enhanded infrastructure and resources across the North and East coast of Thailand.
- Two: Building on Thailand’s reputation as a Wellness destination of natural and cultural wonder including sports such as Golf and niche group travel.
- Three: Working closely with traditional and new trade partners in Australia incuding tour operators and airlines to create great value based packages as the destination opens up and capacity returns.
- Four: A commitment to nationwide Infrastructure development including new rail stations and airports plus enhanced tourism services in National Parks.
- Five: Promoting responsible and sustainable travel as part of “A new way” for Thailand to ensure a long-term win-win for the environment, people and communities of The Kingdom and the travellers who visit.
Travelling with environmental concerns through responsible tourism remains the fundamental challenge and will be the key message Tourism Authority Thailand will position under the “Amazing New Chapters” campaign soon to be released.
Mr Petesuwan said he believed close to 40 million tourists visited Thailand in 2019, with around 2 per cent or 770,000 Australians travelling to the Kingdom, dropping to a forecasted 10 million international visitors for 2022.
“While we are working towards sustained economic recovery, It’s unlikely that mass tourism will return anytime soon. It will be a while before we are likely to receive tourism back to pre-COVID-19 levels,” said Ms Busadee.
“However, we will use this opportunity to transform the country’s facilities and systems to ensure the safety and convenience of foreign visitors, including Australians, and work towards becoming a medical and wellness hub and a preferred destination to live and work.
“We are working very hard to boost the country’s competitiveness and attract talent internationally,” she said.
For the latest Tourism Authority Thailand information, head to www.tatnews.org