China News Service, Bangkok, April 3 (Zhao Jingnan) The new crown pneumonia epidemic has hit Thailand's tourism industry hard, and northern Thailand is no exception.
From March 28th to April 3rd, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Airways jointly held the "Amazing New Chapter" Thailand tourism inspection activity, inviting representatives of more than 60 international travel agencies, news media and travel bloggers to travel to northern Thailand I hope to use this experience to promote new tourism products and routes in northern Thailand, so that international tourists can return to Thailand.
The northern part of Thailand is centered on Chiang Mai and includes 17 provinces. It has beautiful mountains and rivers, a pleasant climate, rich natural landscapes, and a very original ecological style.
Affected by the epidemic, urban streets and tourist attractions in northern Thailand are now deserted, which is very different from the bustling scene of foreign tourists before the epidemic.
Photo by Zhao Jingnan at the White Temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand
The White Temple of Chiang Rai is a famous local landscape, and only a few tourists are playing in the huge scenic spot.
Ganchana, who has been in the Chinese-speaking tour guide industry for 18 years, said that in the past, she could receive several tour groups every month, and the income was very considerable.
However, almost no one came to travel after the epidemic, and her tour guide business was very bleak.
Hope the government can take steps to revive the tourism industry.
The Art Community (KALM) in downtown Chiang Mai is an art space integrating tourism, art exhibition, cultural design activities and traditional handicrafts.
Araya, the head of the art community, said that the community was established during the epidemic and was committed to promoting the original ecological art and culture of northern Thailand.
"At present, the tourism industry in Chiang Mai is not active. It is hoped that after the government reopens the tourism industry, more international tourists can visit Chiang Mai to deeply understand and experience the arts and culture of northern Thailand," he said.
The Thai government has approved Chiang Mai as one of the pilot areas for tourism under the Thailand Sandbox Program.
From April 1st, Chiang Mai has further relaxed some epidemic prevention restrictions, allowing drinking and music performances in restaurants and beverage shops until 11 o'clock at night.
According to the Thai government's plan to revitalize the tourism industry, 2022 will become the first year of the "new normal" of Thailand's tourism industry in the "post-epidemic era", said Thanai, deputy director of the National Tourism Administration of Thailand in charge of international markets.
To this end, the National Tourism Administration of Thailand launched the "Thailand Tourism Year 2022: A Magical New Chapter" international tourism marketing campaign in February this year, hoping to attract international tourists to come and re-experience the beauty of Thailand.
The Thai government has also simplified entry procedures since April 1, no longer requiring international tourists to Thailand to provide nucleic acid test certificates within 72 hours before departure, and at the same time reducing the original requirement for tourists to purchase US$50,000 of medical insurance to US$20,000 .
Northern Thailand is an important part of Thailand's tourism industry, he said.
It is hoped that through this inspection activity, the confidence of the international tourism market in Thailand will be rebuilt, indicating that Thailand's tourism industry, including northern Thailand, is ready to welcome the return of international tourists at any time.
(over)