Thailand tourism will take years to fully recover
Thailand tourist arrivals will not likely reach pre-pandemic levels for several years.
Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith expects 2021 to be a struggle for the tourism industry, and the country will not fully rebound until 2024.
That is how long it could take to get back to the 40 million tourist arrivals it received in 2019.
Speaking at a media briefing, he said Thailand’s economy will take two years to recover but the tourism sector could take twice as long.
However, it could be speeded up if Covid-19 vaccines prove to be effective.
The Minister urged the government to move away from a reliance on inbound tourism to other industries, including green initiatives and digital technologies.
Tourism contributes nearly 20% of GDP.
Meanwhile, Minister for Sports and Tourism, Pipat Ratchakitprakan said general tourism will remain closed until the second quarter of 2021.
Borders have been opened for approved visitors under the Special Tourism Visa scheme with mandatory quarantine, which so far has admitted about 1,200 people on special charter flights.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive