Thai tourism suffers in COVID-19

Tourists visit the old town of Phuket, Thailand, on Sept. 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Keren)

Thai tourism industry is suffering a reshuffle by COVID-19, adding that the hospitality sector has to undergo inevitable changes as part of the “new normal”, including an added emphasis on hygiene, a redefined business concept and design alteration.

by Chen Jiabao

BANGKOK, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) — Five-star hotels in Bangkok, Thailand have dimmed their lights for more than half a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic that forced the country to shut its doors to foreign tourists since April.

In a once-bustling riverfront night bazaar in Bangkok, Christmas lights have been put up only to attract few visitors and the dazzling lights could hardly beat the gloom. The city is not in a festive mood.

In southern Thailand’s resort island Phuket, hotel occupancy rate hovers at less than 20 percent. “Cheaper flights,…