Tourism operators in Koh Samui are urging the government to speed up mass vaccination programmes to improve hopes for a tourism recovery by the third quarter.
“Even though domestic cases are not that numerous, the slow start of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout in Thailand will affect the confidence of tourists,” said Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui.
As the domestic market alone cannot support the industry, a recovery depends on vaccine administration and efficacy to allow borders to reopen.
Last year Koh Samui welcomed 400,000 tourists, with the number pre-pandemic peaking in 2019 at 2.5 million, of which 17% were locals.
Mr Ratchaporn said…
