Vacation incentives to revive tourism in Thailand

In this photo taken on July 2, 2020, a visitor walks past the largest Buddha statue in Thailand, in Ang Thong province, north of Bangkok, as authorities reopened sites to tourists following lockdowns to halt the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. (Photo by Alex OGLE / AFP)

BANGKOK — Thai authorities implement stimulus packages to revive tourism. Hoteliers can join them right away and people can register their participation on July 15, the Thai News Agency (TNA) has reported.

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said that in the “Let’s Travel” package the government paid 40 percent of room rates but the subsidy was limited at 3,000 baht (P4,800) per room per night.

It also gives E-Vouchers worth 600 baht (P950) per night for tourists to pay for their meals and admission to tourist destinations. The government also pays 40 percent of air fares but the aid is capped at 1,000 baht (P1,600) per seat.

TNA report said the “Moral Support” package is to thank local health volunteers and staff of sub-district hospitals. The government pays for their domestic trips lasting two days and one nights. The subsidy is limited at 2,000 baht (P3,200) per person.

Both packages will cost 22.4 billion baht (P35.7 billion) and be available from July to October, the report added. – Bernama