Asia prioritizes opening up for tourism

 Asia prioritizes opening up for tourism

Although the Covid-19 epidemic is still complicated in many Asian countries, many governments in the region are developing "scenarios" to reopen the economy with the motto of safely adapting to the epidemic. Tourism is a priority area of ​​the economic recovery strategy.

Phuket is open to all fully vaccinated visitors. Photo: Reuters

The Thai Government's Center for Handling the Covid-19 Situation (CCSA) has announced a plan to reopen the "country of smiles" within the next few months. Under the plan, Thai provinces will reopen in four phases, according to factors of tourism revenue, geography and Covid-19 prevention measures.

The pilot phase in October, including the "sandbox" model in tourist destinations Phuket and Samui was implemented from July and August, reopening the provinces of Phuket, Surat Thani (Koh islands). Samui, Koh Pha-ngan and Koh Tao), Phang Nga (the coast of Khao Lak and Koh Yao) and Krabi (the islands of Koh Phi Phi and Koh Ngai, and the beaches of Railay, Khlong Muang and Tub Kaak). Despite the decision to extend the state of emergency to prevent and control Covid-19 until the end of November, the CCSA allowed some more businesses to reopen and shortened the night curfew.

Malaysia piloted a "tourist bubble" on Langkawi island in the state of Kedah. This tourist island famous for its romantic beaches has opened its doors to domestic tourists who have completed their vaccinations. 9,500 visitors came here on the first day of opening. Within a week of pilot reopening from mid-September, Langkawi attracted 12,607 visitors. After the success in Langkawi, the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is expected to open a "tourist bubble" to a number of other localities such as Genting Highlands, Malacca and Tioman Island.

South Asian countries that have been severely impacted by the pandemic have also started planning to revive the smokeless industry. Nepal resumes visa issuance for all tourists who have been vaccinated against Covid-19; lifting the quarantine regulations on entry for vaccinated foreigners.

The decision was made at the most favorable time for autumn hikes in Nepal. This is a very important decision that can help increase the number of international tourists. As international visitors are one of Nepal's main sources of income, the decision to close the country due to the pandemic in March 2020 has caused economic losses estimated at hundreds of millions of USD, and has a strong impact on about 800,000 people working in the tourism industry here.

India also intends to grant 500,000 tourist visas free of charge to prepare for the resumption of tourism industry activities after more than a year of closure. India is in talks with international airlines to schedule the resumption of flights between the country and key markets in North America and Europe. In Sri Lanka, from July, vaccinated foreign tourists will be allowed to enter without quarantine if they have a certificate of testing negative for SARS-CoV-2 virus. The South Asian region has about 47 million workers working in the tourism sector, which has been heavily affected by the pandemic, which is part of the reason for the economic recession of the region's countries in 2020.