Passengers packed the departure hall at Suvarnabhumi Airport. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)
The Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) expects the outbound tourism market to grow after Hong Kong became the latest destination to allow group tours to visit with fewer restrictions.
The TTAA forecasts that pent-up demand from Thai tourists will lead to higher tourism volumes in the first quarter of next year.
The Hong Kong government has allowed licensed travel agencies and inbound tour groups with pre-registered itineraries to enter designated tourist attractions, including theme parks, museums and temples, as well as provide catering passes at designated dining areas for people with vaccine codes, starting this month.
The previous 0+3 arrangement restricted inbound tourists from visiting places such as temples or restaurants within the first three days after arrival.
Chotechhuang Soorangura, vice-chairman of the TTAA, said the relaxation facilitated travel agencies who wanted to market.
He said that in the past month, due to restrictions, a small number of tour groups visited Hong Kong. Under previous measures, they can only order takeaway from restaurants, which is very inconvenient for tourists.
Mr Chotechhuang said the recent loosening of policies would benefit tourists planning to visit Hong Kong. Outbound demand for this peak season should be healthy, especially for those who want to visit the island’s famous temples to pray, he said.
“Hong Kong is famous for the spiritual journey of Thai tourists. Many of our clients said they wanted to remove the bad luck brought by Covid-19,” Mr Chotechhuang said.
However, capacity on flights between Thailand and Hong Kong remains a concern. Although Hong Kong tourists have started returning to Thailand since the mandatory quarantine was lifted in September, the number of flights has not fully recovered.
Hong Kong tourism workers, such as hotel staff, may not be as well-prepared as their Thai counterparts, he said.
In addition to resuming travel between Thailand and Hong Kong, travel exchanges with China may take place in the first quarter of next year, but to very limited areas such as Zhuhai, which is close to Macau and Hong Kong in the Greater Bay Area, said Mr Qiao Techuang. Last month, Beijing gradually eased travel restrictions within the Greater Bay Area, allowing mainland residents to use an online visa system instead of applying in person to travel to Macau.
