Spikes in bookings from all markets and across demographics, says Anthony Lark – except for Asia.
IMAGINE being the first foreign visitor to walk off the plane at Phuket International Airport on July 1. Imagine the warm embrace that the locals would give you if they could. In any case, the “sawasdee” greeting is the most hygienic of welcomes – from a distance, two hands clasped, head bowed in gratitude.
Anthony Lark, president of Phuket Hotels Association, believes that’s the overwhelming feeling that will greet the first foreign visitors to return to the island he’s called home for 33 years.
“I remember the 2004 tsunami when tourists disappeared from December to February, and then tourists started trickling back from May and the welcome they got. This will be 10x that. There will be overwhelming gratitude. The Thai spirit will be back in full force.”
Anthony Lark on an empty Bang Tao beach, June 10: “I’ve never seen such a broad-based swelling of positive community spirit between boats, golf clubs, restaurants, airport, government, medical, pitching in to help...”
Asked to comment on the speculation in the media on whether Phuket would really reopen by July 1, given the new wave of infections in Thailand, Lark said, “This is happening. We are reopening. I’ve never seen such a broad-based swelling of positive community spirit between boats, golf clubs, restaurants, airport, government, medical, pitching in to help, particularly the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Phuket Tourist Association.”
A meeting on Tuesday night between all relevant bodies including the TAT and medical institutions laid out plans for the Phuket Sandbox Programme – the island will welcome vaccinated foreign tourists without the need to undergo the 14-day quarantine from July 1, 2021.
“One criteria was that Phuket people had to be agree to be vaccinated, at least 70% of them. At least 60% are now vaccinated and the number is increasing everyday,” said Lark. “100% of hotel staff have been vaccinated.”
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