A collection of tourism businesses and organisations headed by the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce will be contacting Thailand’s COVID-19 co-ordinating committee (CCSA) this week to press the government to establish travel bubbles with low-risk countries.
In particular, they want to start travel bubbles with twenty provinces in China.
Among the provinces, they mentioned Guangzhou that has said they are ready to send Chinese tour groups to Thailand.
The CoC, hoteliers and other tourist organisations that will put their name to the letter want to see a pilot scheme set up between Guangzhou and Phuket.
The economic situation on the holiday island is seen as so dire and is in imminent danger of complete collapse meaning that urgent help to revive tourism there is needed.
Narongsak Phutthaphrommongkhon, chief of the Thai Chinese Chamber of Commerce, said that operators in the tourism sector understand the need to stop infections and recognise Thailand has had a few cases in recent days.
But the country needs to think about the economy and appreciate the worldwide recognition it has for its COVID-19 response and capabilities.
Narongsak asked the government to make a brave decision to introduce travel bubbles and start with the Phuket pilot scheme.
