Phuket: We're ready for foreign tourists - but there aren't any - so domestic tourists remain target
Image: Manager
It has become an almost daily headline in the Thai media, especially that which focuses on business, the economy and tourism.
Manager's latest headline summed it up: Phuket was ready for foreign tourists, but there were virtually none, so they'd have to make do with the domestic market.
At least in this story there were some revealing figures of just how bad the situation is in Phuket.
There have been only three dozen foreign visitors and another small group is stuck on yachts offshore.
The media were reporting on a visit of the TAT's marketer for Europe, Africa, the Middle east and US, Siripakorn Chiawsamut and his entourage who went to see Phuket governor Narong Wun-siw and his deputy to discuss ways to stimulate the flagging tourism economy.
But apart from the usual talk there was very little new to add to the argument.
Narong said that Phuket was ready for foreign tourism and had done everything in its power to prepare. It was Covid secure, there were labs at the airport, the alternative local quarantine (ALQ) hotels were primed and there were contingency plans if things went wrong.
However, there were next to no foreigners.
Citing the eleven groups of people like businessmen who have been allowed entry by the CCSA or Covid steering committee and plans for the special tourist visa (STV) he said that as far as he knew just THIRTY FIVE foreign tourists had made it to Phuket.
Another nine were on six yachts stuck 6.2 kms offshore.
He conceded that others were expected soon.
The parties agreed that the limited expectation for foreign tourists were a reality and that for now Thai domestic tourists remained the target.
More Thais were visiting and it was hoped that there would be a good response to the upcoming long weekend next week.
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