Thai tourism to welcome cryptocurrency holders
Bangkok (VNA) - The Tourism Authority of
Thailand (TAT) wants to establish Thailand as the first country to welcome
cryptocurrency holders by targeting Japanese tourists in the initial phase.
Though the agency downgraded its target for foreign tourist
arrivals this year, it sees tourism during the post-pandemic era as emphasising
quality and creativity, leading to its plan to add new segments with high
spending.
According to Dalia Research in 2018, 11 percent of Japanese
own cryptocurrencies, higher than the global average of 7 percent, followed by
Germany and the US at 9 percent.
Earlier, the country's Tourism and Sports Ministry held that it is feasible
Thailand could receive 5
million international arrivals this year, half the original forecast
of 10 million, as the pandemic continues to ravage the tourism industry
worldwide.
"If we can attract 5 million tourists this year under the current
circumstances, that would be a success," said Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn,
the Tourism and Sports Minister.
To reach 10 million arrivals, a significant number of conditions would have to
be met in both Thailand and origin countries for tourists, he said.
As mass
vaccinations are being rolled out worldwide, including in Thailand, the Tourism
and Sports Ministry plans to hold discussions with the prime minister
and the Public Health Ministry about the possibility of including tourism
workers in the early stages of the vaccination programme.
Thailand is scheduled to administer vaccines to high-risk members of the
population starting in February. Phiphat said people employed in the tourism
industry such as hotel staff, drivers and workers at restaurants and spas based
in major tourism destinations should be among the first groups to receive
vaccinations.
The Thai tourism was hit hard by COVID-19. The country welcomed only 6.7
million foreign tourists in 2020 as compared to 39.9 million recorded in 2019,
and the number of visitors is said to fall to 5 million in 2021, with tourists’
spending decreasing to 260 billion THB (8.67 billion USD) in 2021 from 1.91
trillion THB in 2019./.