Phuket, Thailand, May 29, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The travel and tourism industry in Phuket is mobilizing ahead of the island's reopening on July 1 for international visitors who have been vaccinated under the Phuket Sandbox model.

The countdown is on, with less than six weeks remaining until the arrival of the first international visitors to Phuket, 15 months after the country went into lockdown.

After months of standstill or dependence on the domestic market, the industry is full of anticipation. The first crews are expected to come from the traditional European long-distance transport markets – primarily from Great Britain, France, Germany, and Scandinavia.

“The plan remains in place, and on July 1st we will welcome international travelers who are vaccinated and can stay in Phuket without quarantine,” said Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, President of the Phuket Tourism Association. “We are on schedule with the vaccinations in Phuket. Our goal is to achieve herd immunity of 70% of the population, which also includes foreigners with work permits.”

Mr. Ruktaengam advised the travel industry to prepare its infrastructure, retrain staff, and implement the new SHA Plus health and safety guidelines for the upcoming return of the European market. “Europe is a large market… demand for the third and fourth quarters is already strong,” he said.

“It is clear that hotels in Phuket need to prepare, and quickly,” said David Johnson, CEO of Delivering Asia Communications, who is currently in Phuket working with the hotel industry to prepare their reopening campaigns with a focus on Europe.

“It’s been a tough 15 months, but we see light at the end of the tunnel, and visitors from Europe will be the first to return,” he said. “The key will be not simply to offer the same things again. Hotels need to develop new narratives based on nature, culture, and the destination itself, and utilize new distribution channels. The world has changed, and it’s important to respond to that. There are new wish lists for travelers who have been in lockdown for so long and are dreaming of their return.”

To support the hospitality industry in Phuket, Travelindex has confirmed the publication of its restaurant guide, "Top 25 Restaurants Phuket," on July 1st in collaboration with TAT Amazing Thailand. This Phuket restaurant guide is part of Travelindex's internationally renowned Top 25 series and helps promote Phuket as a safe travel destination, especially for food lovers.

With an eye on the upcoming year-end rush and the high season on the island, a management consultancy estimates: "35 to 40% of travelers come from colder regions of Northern, Eastern and Western Europe. As soon as temperatures drop, the vaccinated winter guests will inevitably flock back to the beaches, and that is a good basis for the recovery of tourism."