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By Richard C. Paddock
Thailand welcomed more than 10 million Chinese tourists last year and this week, tourism authorities announced the arrival of 39 people.
It is the first foreign tourist organization to reach the kingdom in more than six months.
Thailand suffered a blow to its economy after it closed its borders to foreign tourists in April for involving the coronavirus. Authorities have been bringing tourists back for months through a special visa and quarantine program, and after several false beginnings, the organization of the 39th came. Tuesday from Shanghai.
Travelers went to a Bangkok hotel, where they will stay for 14 days on their own.
Thailand Tourism Authority Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said in an interview Wednesday that he hoped the group’s arrival would open the door to travelers from other low-risk countries such as Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea. up to 270 days.
Thailand, the first country after China to report a case of coronavirus, which brought a tourist from Wuhan in January, but the kingdom is among the most effective in containing the virus, reporting only 3,709 cases and 59 deaths.
The now is reviving the economy.
In the last quarter of this year, Thailand suffered its biggest contraction since the 1990s, with the economy contracting by 12. 2%, according to the State Planning Council.
Although tourists have been banned, thousands of Thais have returned and quarantined. Hundreds of others tested positive for the virus to spread in the community.
“That’s why we’re sure to attract tourists right now, ” said Mr. Yuthasak.
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