Thailand reached its forecast of 10 million tourists for 2022 this Saturday, a figure far from the data prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, but which underpins the recovery of this key sector in the country’s economy.
To celebrate the milestone, which meets the estimate made in August by the Ministry of Tourism, the authorities treated visitors to a series of welcome gifts at various airports across the country and at land border points in an event dubbed “Amazing Thailand.” 10 Million Celebrations» (Wonderful Thailand 10 million celebrations).
VISITORS
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha is scheduled to welcome passengers coming from a Saudi Arabian flight at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in eastern Bangkok, which local authorities say will complete the branding.
The health crisis has wreaked havoc on the tourism sector in Thailand, which in 2019 registered a record 39.8 million visitors, a key sector for the second largest economy in Southeast Asia, which before the pandemic accounted for between 12 and 20%. of the Thai Gross Domestic Producer.
MEASURES
The country began last February to relax the restrictions imposed against covid-19 for arrivals from abroad and, in a process in different stages, returned to the “old normal” in October by lifting practically all the measures.
Although, despite the fact that the use of masks is no longer mandatory in the country since the end of June, the Ministry of Health recommends that the population continue to use it in closed places, with little ventilation or a high concentration of people, and many of the locals still use it daily.
The Thai government indicated in September that they estimate to reach 32 million tourists by 2023, which represents 80% of the travelers who arrived before the pandemic, although it has recently been more cautious about a possible slowdown. EFE
