Fri, Feb 05, 2021 – 8:50 PM
[BANGKOK] Thai hotelier Central Plaza Hotelon Friday said it would move ahead with plans to launch eight hotels across seven countries this year, counting on eased travel restrictions as coronavirus vaccinations are unrolled.
“It’s our hope that by the third quarter, with vaccinations underway, that travellers with vaccination passports will be able to come to Thailand and not have to do quarantine,” deputy chief executive Markland Blaiklock, told Reuters.
He also expects “pent-up demand” for travel from markets like Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea.
Thailand’s tourism industry has been decimated by travel restrictions due to the pandemic with just 6.7 million foreign arrivals last year, compared to nearly 40 million in 2019.
Optimism about vaccinations sent shares of Central Plaza Hotel up over 10.28 per cent and rival hotel operator, Erawan Group…
