From tourist heroes to zero – how the world’s former tourist magnets are coping

Travel bubbles are back on the table as countries in the region battle to find some safe solution to their tourist shortfall. Thailand, in particular, earns such a high proportion of its GDP from travel and tourism, that it is seeing a major financial shortfall after closing its borders. This, in the context of no new Special Tourist Visa applications so far in November.

So the TAT, Public Health department and Sports and Tourism minister, are now talking up the possibility of travel bubbles, aka. green lanes, between similar low-risk countries without quarantine requirements. They say it’s a crucial step to help the Thai tourism industry. They also recognise a pent-up demand for outbound travel, according to the Thai Travel Agents Association.

But even the TTAA president, Suthiphong Pheunphiphop, recognises that any progress will be slow and that, initially, it would only be…