Open Thailand Safely. Campaign pushing the government to reopen Thailand to international tourism by July 2021

Open Thailand Safely, a campaign pushing the Thai government to reopen Thailand to international tourism by July 2021.

Over 15 major companies, including YAANA Ventures, Minor Group, Asian Trails, Capella Hotels and Resorts, EXO, and others, supported the #OpenThailandSafely campaign on March 2nd.

In the days coming, the Open Thailand Safely campaign has laid out its argument in a petition that will serve as the foundation for a formal request to the Royal Thai Government to support the rollout of Covid-19 vaccination programs currently underway in Europe, the United States, and other Thailand tourism source markets.

The campaign argues that July 1st is an appropriate date for five reasons: the majority of citizens in many source markets will have been vaccinated by then; Thai medical authorities will have enough time to vaccinate both front line staff in hospitality settings in Thailand and/or vulnerable citizens around the country; international travellers will have enough time to make travel plans and bookings, the date gives airlines, hotels, tour operators, and others to start marketing and sales in preparing for tourism operations to start; however, Thailand will get at least a year, if not longer, to return to the large numbers of international visitors it had before to the Covid-19 crisis.

The petition argues that "international tourists can be asked to satisfy any safeguards the Thai Government may require" to ensure Thailand's safe reopening. This may include things like showing official proof of a Covid-19 vaccination from their home country, purchasing health insurance, showing a negative Covid test within 72 hours of departure.

“The 1 July reopening will be a strategic opportunity for Thailand to show leadership among Asian countries and prepare the way for a solid recovery of the Thai economy in 2022,” said Willem Niemeijer, CEO of YAANA Ventures.

Tourism was worth about 2.9 trillion baht pre-Covid, according to the Bank of Thailand and official sources in Thailand. In 2019, up to 8.3 million jobs were funded with 39.7 million foreign visitors. Arrivals, on the other side, fell to 6.7 million in 2020, making between two and four million people unemployed. 

Meanwhile, as a result of successful Covid vaccine rollouts in their key source markets, destinations such as Seychelles, Maldives, Greece, and Sri Lanka have either opened borders or are in the process of already.