Thailand Tourism Sector Has Its Sights Set on a July 1 Reopening

[Dial H For Hero]

https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/thailand-coronavirus-reopening-tourism-campaign

Thailand's tourism industry launched a campaign on Tuesday, hoping to persuade the country to welcome visitors back by July.

Launched Tuesday, the #OpenThailandSafely campaign hopes to welcome international tourists back to Thailand by July 1, campaign organizers shared with Travel + Leisure, a date which they believe provides enough time for vaccines to make their way around the world.

In addition leaving enough time for travelers to get vaccinated, organizers argued the July 1 date would give Thai medical authorities the opportunity to vaccinate front line staff and vulnerable citizens, and would give the tourism industry (like airlines and hotels) time to prepare to welcome visitors.

Organizers estimate it will take at least a year to return to pre-pandemic tourism numbers in Thailand.

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Have my (refundable) flight booked for October!

[Jeebo]

1. I've spent a fair amount of time in Thailand.

Mostly Bangkok and Pattaya. It is an amazing place, and wonderful people, sometimes it's called the Land of Smiles. Tourism is such an obviously huge part of that country's economy that I have been wondering how they're handling Covid. Is the plague an economic catastrophe for them? One of my favorite restaurants on the whole planet is in Pattaya. I used to go there and chow down and just hang out almost every day. I hope I'll get to go again some day soon (I'm 71).

-- Ron