In general, at present, in many countries, domestic tourists are being encouraged to travel through initiatives and measures to "rescue post-Covid-19 tourism". Those are necessary but not enough factors, according to analysts, because international tourist flows have a very important role.
Experts also emphasized that: To avoid the economic downturn caused by the prolonged pandemic, many countries need to reopen their border and welcome foreign tourists even though before the epidemic their overload could have caused. no less corollary. For Southeast Asia, the highest proportion is Chinese tourists.
In order to recover the economies heavily affected by Covid-19, they first need to restart their previous market access strategies to better suit the new situation.
Thai dancers wearing protective masks perform at the famous sacred Erawan temple in Bangkok on 4/5. The temple was reopened after the Thai government relaxed anti-Covid-19 measures. (Photo: AFP)
According to a forecast by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the number of global visitors could be reduced by 80% this year, leading to a reduction in revenue of 1.2 trillion USD. Southeast Asia’s tourism sector is said to be the second hardest hit in the world, behind only North Asia.
In 2018, the tourism sector accounted for 32% of gross domestic product (GDP) and 6.7% of employment in Cambodia; 20% of GDP and about 9% of jobs in Thailand; 9% of GDP and also about 9% of jobs in Vietnam.
In which the tourism sector, which brought about $ 4.3 billion in 2018 to Cambodia, will lose up to $ 3 billion this year, according to the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia. The number of Vietnamese tourists decreased by 98% as of May 2020 compared to the same period last year. Thailand also estimates an economic slowdown of at least 5.3% in 2020, of which tourism-related losses could be more than $ 40 billion.
The international gate of Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand remained nearly empty on June 3. (Photo: AFP)
But Southeast Asia has the advantage of good prevention and less human loss due to the Covid-19 epidemic. Of the three countries Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia, up to now Thailand has 58 deaths, Vietnam and Cambodia have no deaths. When international tourism is resumed, many tourists will definitely prioritize "exotic destinations" in this area because of the safer feeling.
Vietnam is gradually reopening tourist destinations first of all to attract domestic tourists. Reuters reported last week, the Thai Tourism Authority has also set up a brand rebranding campaign as a "Trusted Destination" in an effort to attract influential young travelers.
But in general, experts predict that all three Southeast Asian countries will not expect travel services to return to normal at least until the end of this year. Still, more hope can be expected in the peak tourist season in late Autumn and early Winter from November 2020 to January 2021.
According to a recent UNWTO survey, most experts predict that international tourism could recover next year, while a less optimistic group will close that gap by the end of this year. The optimistic predictions are based on the possibility that there will be no "second wave" of Covid-19 outbreak and visitors will no longer be afraid of trips abroad.
People wearing masks go through a souvenir shop in Hanoi, after the social spacing regulations are relaxed. (Photo: AFP)
Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia have all set up stimulus packages to help restore tourism, from tax exemptions to financial "bailouts." However, analysts are concerned that a "bailout" strategy could create. "Zombie companies" - still able to operate despite the risk of default or bankruptcy - risk facing failure when the subsidy is cut if the tourism sector is still unable to recover by the end of this year. anise.
Another question is how do investors rebuild new businesses, replacing firms that have "disappeared" because of pandemics because they will face the challenge of rising costs?
“Standards of hygiene and health will be more focused, forcing hotels to provide clean rooms, beds and food. Restaurants must also meet higher standards and avoid overcrowding. All of these measures lead to the greater costs that businesses incur ”- a new report by experts on emerging markets in Southeast Asia stated.
The number of visitors to Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia on March 16, 2019 (pictured above) and on May 5, 2020 is far different. (Photo: AFP)
Increasing the cost is nonetheless more acceptable to larger firms than small companies. Therefore experts forecast: The new market standard could lead to a strong integration in this field to keep small-scale tourism operators operating.
Regarding Chinese tourists, the figures released by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) show that: In Thailand, the number of Chinese tourists has increased from 800,000 in 2008 to over 10 million after 10 years, 27% of foreign visitors.
In Vietnam and Cambodia, Chinese tourists also make up the largest traveling groups. In 2018, there were about 2 million Chinese tourists coming to Cambodia, an increase of 67% over the previous year and accounting for more than 1/3 of the total visitors ...
