Asian countries planning promotions to lure back travellers
Bangkok | May 28, 2020: A number of Asian countries have managed to contain the coronavirus outbreak and are now reopening. Plans are underway to revitalise their battered tourism sector by luring back travellers in Q3 this year.
Thailand
Thailand has been reopening slowly since May 3. All businesses, activities and domestic and international travel are set to resume on July 1, with COVID-19 restrictions and curfews ending on June 30. To prepare for this complete reopening of the country, the government is in the process of creating safe travel corridors between Thailand and countries in which the outbreak is well contained, reported Post Today.
To reinvigorate domestic travel, the government is considering launching a promotion package this July that will subsidise domestic travel expenses by 40–50%, reported Bangkok Biz News.
The Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) certification scheme, aimed at enhancing the travel industry’s hygiene standard, was launched on May 18 and has so far attracted over 1,440 tourism-related businesses.
Vietnam
With its remarkably low number of COVID-19 cases (327 confirmed so far with 0 death for a population of over 97 million), Vietnam has been reopening gradually since April 23. Domestic flights are now back in operation, as are bus and train services, restaurants and retail outlets.
Vietnam Airlines is understood to be discussing with the government to resume some international flights in June, reported Skift. Efforts to create reciprocal travel corridors with China and South Korea are also in the works.
A campaign by Vietnam Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism that offers travel packages that are 30 percent lower in pricing will fire up domestic tourism, according to a webinar hosted by Delivering Asia Communications on May 7.
Vietnam aims to reopen to international tourists on July 1, according to the government’s online newspaper.
Indonesia
The Indonesian government announced on May 19 that Bali may reopen to international travellers this October following the island’s success in containing the coronavirus outbreak, reported Lonely Planet. To safely reopen hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions, a new CHS (Cleanliness, Health, and Safety) programme will be rolled out to set guidelines for increased health, hygiene and safety standards.
Nusa Dua, an enclave of large five-star resorts in the southern part of Bali, is earmarked as the first destination to adopt the CHS programme.
Plans are also afoot to reopen Yogyakarta, famous for its ancient Buddhist temple Borobudur, and the Riau Islands, Indonesia’s second most-visited destination for international travellers.
To revitalise the country’s beleaguered tourism industry, Indonesia will implement a US$1.68-billion stimulus package that includes airfare and hotel discounts in Q3 this year when the pandemic is expected to subside, reported The Jakarta Post.
Sri Lanka
Hotels and restaurants in Sri Lanka reopened on May 26 after a two-month coronavirus lockdown and island-wide 24-hour curfew. Night time curfew, will, however, remain until further notice, TTG Asia reported.
The island nation is toying with the idea of reopening the country’s airports to international travellers on August 1.
Japan, China and South Korea
On May 25, Japan lifted the state of emergency in Tokyo and four other areas that were still under coronavirus restrictions, gradually reopening the world’s third-largest economy.
The country, one of Asia’s favourite destinations, is looking to welcome back international travellers starting from July this year by launching a US$12.5-billion promotion that will cover half of travellers’ expenses up to 20,000 Japanese yen (US$186) per day.
China and South Korea are also discussing with Japan the idea of creating reciprocal business travel corridors to help revive business activities. If implemented, the programme would allow a fast-track entry for business people if they test negative for COVID-19 before departure and after arrival and meet other conditions.
China has already made a similar arrangement with South Korea, with Shanghai, Tianjin and Chongqing reopening their doors to business travellers from the country from earlier this month.
According to Nikkei Asian Review, China has already held informal talks with more than a dozen Asia-Pacific nations on clearing the way for essential business travel. — Additional reporting by Kittikun Pensuk
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