After the first batch of inoculations has been distributed to high-risk groups in February, tour operators floated the concept of luring inbound travellers with vaccine tour packages.
"After the vaccines arrive, we need a tourism plan by the second quarter this year to create more demand," said Chamnan Srisawat, president of the Thailand Tourism Council (TCT).
It is estimated that the one-month tour packages would cost 150,000 baht, including a 14-day quarantine in an alternate state quarantine or local alternative quarantine facility and the cost of vaccination.
The aim of the tourism plan is to help inbound operators and hoteliers at major tourist destinations which, after a long pause, still rely heavily on the international market.
Tour operators may partner with hospitals to provide jabs for international travellers, he said, if the Food and Drug Administration approves private hospitals that reserve more Covid-19 vaccines.
Mr Chamnan said the proposal is in the early stages of debate and needs further thought, such as the availability of vaccines in Thailand and the assessment of its possibility by the government.
"Tourism-related operators will not be able to stay afloat until mass vaccination programmes take place globally," he said.
"We still need financial relief from the government."
Soft loans, a one-year debt holiday and 50 per cent monthly wage co-payments are initiatives proposed to the government by operators to help protect tourism employment.
The Council recently met with the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) to discuss potential cooperation, Mr Chamnan said.
When the new wave of infections is under control, the TCT aims to provide special packages for FTI members, as there are about 100,000 staff in the industrial segment who have the ability to help drive more domestic trips.
Chotechuang Soorangura, Associate Managing Director of NS Travel and Tours, said there is still a range of questions about the vaccine certificate travel rules that may be required for each country to avoid an outbreak.
Moreover, Thailand is not considered a centre for the Covid vaccine because the country is unable to generate a mass supply that attracts a significant number of tourists.
"Most people would rather get inoculated in their own country before going abroad as they want to avoid being exposed to the virus while travelling," Mr Chotechuang said.
In Thailand, there is also not much demand for Covid vaccines.
Instead, the nation should promote itself as a health destination for both health and well-being tourists and medical tourists seeking specialist care in Thailand, he said.
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