With an objective of keeping Thailand on top of people's mind, in its first encounter with the travel and tourism fraternity of Kolkata since the pandemic broke and international travel came to a total halt, the Tourism Authority of Thailand looks upbeat in welcoming the Indians back to the most popular India outbound destination around July this year.
After a gap of one year since the lockdown started, Kolkata travel agents and operators saw a first overseas destination visiting them and updating them about the situation regarding Covid-19 safety measures and subsequent potential travel. The efforts of Tourism Authority of Thailand through its TAT New Delhi office was well appreciated by agents and operators of Kolkata who are eagerly waiting for Amazing Thailand to open its gates for the Indian tourists. However, TAT has informed that arrangements are being made to welcome back tourists in a phased manner by July this year.
Sweeya Santipitaks, the Consul General of Royal Thai Consulate-General in Kolkata said she is excited to meet the Kolkata travel fraternity again after a year’s gap and eagerly waiting for borders to reopen and send the Indians to Thailand again.Post-pandemic visa related information was also provided by the consulate officials. The agents raised a question on the current requirement of compulsory 14-day quarantine and a minimum balance of INR 5 lakhs in the bank over a period of six months before entering the country as a serious problem to which TAT and consulate officials assured they will assist if contacted. There are also talks of reducing the quarantine days into a single-digit number.
Vachirachai Sirisumpan, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) New Delhi office gave an overall situation update including the details of safety and health measures, Covid-19 cases, vaccine measures taken by TAT at all levels in the country and informed the guests that TAT is working hard to welcome tourists as early as possible. He said it is likely that in July this year Thailand can open the border and TAT India is sending the feedback and sentiments of the Indian travel industry to its head office.Pinki Arora of TAT New Delhi in charge of Marketing and PR gave an updated Amazing Thailand product presentation highlighting the new attractions that agents and operators may include in their itineraries. She said Phuket will be the key focus point after the reopening as this is an island with which the first round of experiments is likely to happen.
