The Covid-19 pandemic influenced not only people’s lifestyles but also state economies, including tourism. That is how Thailand, once one of the most visited countries in the world, is now facing plenty of challenges as the Covid travel curbs end. Like many other countries, Thailand must rethink its means of luring tourists. Although the Asian country allows visitors to enter it without having to register for a “Thailand Pass,” there is still a concern regarding whether the tourists would return or not. Thailand Tourism Council (TCT) President Chamnan Srisawat does not doubt that visitors will return; instead, he worries about the country’s chances of survival in these harsh times.
Nevertheless, TCT expects at least 10 million foreign visitors in 2022, compared with 428,000 in 2021. Moreover, arrivals are forecast to exceed 1.2 trillion Baht in the second half of the year. Despite the two-year break, Thailand aims high: TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing and Communications Siripakorn Cheawsamoot said that the Asian country has continuously put in the energy to provide tourists with memorable experiences. They have worked on changes and adjustments to align Thai tourism with the current, post-Covid needs and expectations. Among the improved things are marketing communication and tourism services and products that address visitors’ desires from A to Z.
Here are more insights about Thai tourism and how the country entices travelers after the pandemic:
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2022 Top Visitors
A significant number of Thai visitors come from Singapore, Vietnam, the U.S.A., and India. There are also travelers arriving by land who are mainly from Cambodia, Laos, and China. So, Asian countries are the top visitors in 2022, representing 43%, but Europe is not to be ignored either, with a percentage of 38%, according to CNBC. However, more foreign visitors are predicted to arrive, even if Thailand’s road to recovery seems lengthy. And it is only normal to be so: the Covid-19 pandemic came with more downs than ups and, in many cases, shook the very foundation of state economies. Countries must pull it together and work on strategies to attract tourists. Fortunately, Thailand is on the right track.
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What Does Thailand Do to Blow Away Tourists?
Innovative or not, these are the top methods Thailand adopts to reach visitors:
Storytelling Marketing
2022’s focus will be on storytelling, a concept that is not that new but undoubtedly something else. Thus, Thailand’s 2022-2023 tourism campaign uses storytelling to allure visitors and enrich their travel experience. What is meant to reach travelers is the NFT concept, meaning Nature to keep, Food to explore, and Thainess to discover. Thailand focuses on its straight points to tell tourists valuable stories about its rich history, abundant cuisine, and eye-catching nature. The “Amazing New Chapters” communication concentrates on feelings like fun, experience, and love, promising travelers from around the world that Thailand is the best place to gain them. Thailand’s cultural diversity and richness can now be taught through powerful stories that bring more cultural awareness among visitors. Unsurprisingly or not, modern consumers are increasingly interested in hearing meaningful stories, which can add value to an ordinary tourism campaign seen everywhere on the Internet. The pandemic has changed how people see the world, and businesses, including tourism agencies, should adapt to these audiences.
Cannabis Cafes
The recent legalization of cannabis brought Thailand to the spotlight. The Asian country decriminalized cannabis in June, shortly before it dropped the Covid-19 restrictions regarding foreign tourists. Could this be the reason foreign arrivals significantly grew in the last two months? It may not be the only reason, but undoubtedly, it has its role. Now cannabis enthusiasts wanting to visit the Buddhist country have something extra on their plate: cannabis cafes. Cannabis consumption is allowed in specially designed places like the RG420 cannabis café that was just opened a couple of days ago In Khao San, one of Thailand’s most visited areas. And with so many backpackers on Khao San’s streets, the café has no shortage of clients. This café is meant to revive Thai tourism and seems to be doing a great job. Japanese, Europeans, and Americans are rushing to roll a joint in RG420’s smoking room.
Cannabis has long been used for its medical benefits, and the fact that this started to be promoted in more and more countries is encouraging news. Nevertheless, people can purchase cannabis seeds to grow their own cannabis and use it as desired. Whether visiting such cafes or smoking home-grown cannabis, the therapeutic properties of this plant are the same.
Focus on Health and Wellness
Medical and wellness tourism started to be promoted in Thailand as a means to lure visitors. The fascinating Thai medicine focused on holistic treatments can be discovered through special programs conducted by healthcare professionals. So, everyone looking for a relaxing place in Buddha’s country can visit these spa treatment centers. And in the same spirit, everyone wanting to find their Zen can give cannabis a shot. Whether rolling a joint at the recently launched café in Khao San or consuming their own grown with cannabis seeds, individuals can experience the miraculous benefits of this plant anytime and anywhere in Thailand.
Sustainable tourism
Responsible tourism has long been debated, but now it receives the deserved attention. Thailand knows how paramount it is to promote sustainable tourism in 2022 and does its best in this sense. Thus, to be in accordance with the changing global trends, the Asian country redefines what sustainability means and takes action on balancing social, economic, and environmental elements harmoniously. The Thai government’s Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) complies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure more sustainable travel, and we can only hope for the best.
Traveling to Thailand can become the experience of most people’s lives. Is there anything that passes unnoticed? We do not think so!
