Chinese Tourists Do Not Need Covid 19 Tests for Thailand Visit
Thailand recently announced that Chinese tourists do not need to take Covid 19 tests before going on a visit to Thailand. This announcement has been well-received by Chinese tourists and has led to an increase of visitors from China to the country. The announcement was made by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) on February 24th, 2021. TAT stated that Chinese tourists will no longer need to take a Covid 19 test before flying to Thailand, as long as they have a valid Chinese passport and proof of health insurance. This announcement comes after the Chinese government granted Thailand a visa-free exemption for Chinese citizens in December 2020. The decision is part of an effort to boost Thailand’s tourism industry, which has been significantly impacted by the Covid 19 pandemic. In 2020, the country welcomed only 10 million tourists, compared to the 39.8 million tourists it welcomed in 2019. TAT has also implemented other measures to make Thailand more attractive to Chinese tourists. These measures include offering discounted packages, providing special promotions for Chinese tour operators, and organizing more activities for Chinese tourists.
Thailand’s Efforts to Support Tourism
The Thai government is also taking several steps to support the tourism industry. These include providing financial aid to tour operators, increasing the number of flights to Thailand from China, and introducing a new electronic visa system for Chinese tourists. The government has also set up a Tourism Recovery Fund, which aims to help the tourism industry recover from the effects of the pandemic. The fund will provide support for the development of new tourism products, the promotion of Thailand as a tourist destination, and the development of new services for tourists. In addition, the government has launched a campaign to promote Thailand as a safe destination for tourists. This campaign includes the use of safety and hygiene protocols in hotels and tourist attractions, as well as the introduction of a new travel insurance policy.
Safety Protocols for Tourists
In order to ensure the safety of tourists, the Thai government has also implemented several safety protocols. These include the enforcement of a strict health screening process for all tourists entering the country, the use of contactless payments, and the requirement of wearing masks in public areas. The government has also introduced a new health alert system that provides real-time information about the Covid-19 situation in Thailand. The system allows tourists to check the latest updates on the health situation in the country before they travel.
China-Thailand Relations
The relationship between Thailand and China has improved significantly since the start of the pandemic. China has been one of the key countries helping Thailand to fight Covid 19 and has provided more than $1 billion in aid to the country. The two countries have also signed a number of agreements to promote economic, trade, and tourism cooperation. These agreements include the establishment of a Thailand-China Tourism Working Group, which aims to promote cooperation between the two countries in the tourism sector.
Thailand’s Tourism Outlook
Despite the pandemic, Thailand is optimistic that it can recover its tourism industry. The country is hoping to attract more than 20 million tourists in 2021, with most of them coming from China. The Thai government is also planning to introduce several new measures to make the country more attractive to tourists. These include the introduction of new visa policies, the development of new tourism products, and the promotion of Thailand as a safe and welcoming destination.
Conclusion
The recent announcement by the Tourism Authority of Thailand that Chinese tourists do not need to take a Covid 19 test before entering the country is a welcome move and is expected to boost Thailand’s tourism industry. The government is also taking several steps to make Thailand more attractive to tourists, including the introduction of safety protocols and the provision of financial aid to tour operators. With the help of these measures, Thailand is confident that it can recover its tourism industry and attract more than 20 million tourists in 2021.
