Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Thailand, one of the world’s largest tourist destinations, received up to 40 million visitors per year. After nearly two years of closure, the country has reopened its doors and with the approach of the end of the year holidays, in some areas of Bangkok and Phuket, hotels are almost full.
Thais celebrate the return of tourists with fireworks. A welcome gesture several evenings a week in Bangkok. Of course, the Thais who suffered a lot during the closure of the country are relieved but the crisis has made it possible to shed light on the misdeeds of mass tourism. Thanks to the truce, on the beaches, the turtles came back to lay their eggs, the corals took on their colors.
Benefits on the environment that the population would like to keep, explains Thanida Chalong, responsible for an eco-responsible tourism program: “Reconciling tourism and the environment is the big challenge for the next few years. This means we have to fundamentally change the way tourists visit our country, slow down, enhance our culture.”
“The private sector, national parks, everyone must take their responsibilities to achieve less industrial, more artisanal tourism.”
Thanida Chalong, responsible for an eco-responsible tourism programto franceinfo
“It is only at this price that we will reduce the carbon impact of tourism, continues Thanida Chalong. But of course in-depth changes, that means investing, and for that the government is still cautious. “
The Thai authorities do not want less tourists but rather different tourists. More families, more nature lovers. The country wants to change its image. Until now its success was based on the beaches but also on the nightlife and sometimes on sex tourism. Thailand has much more to offer, insist the authorities, starting with its gastronomy.
This is one of the development axes of new tourism to attract a new clientele of enthusiasts, such as Koray, a young 23-year-old German: “It’s great, I love it. I came here with high hopes and I was not really disappointed, on the contrary. I love Thai food, its diversity. If only from the point of view of Gastronomic view is already an extraordinary experience. Thailand has a lot more to offer than the clichés. Besides, it is a country where you feel safe. The Thais are very welcoming. “
“I don’t speak Thai, just hello and thank you and yet they make the effort to try to understand me. There is a really good atmosphere.”
Koray, German touristto franceinfo
And to distance yourself from the sulphurous image of Thailand, bars and nightclubs remain closed during these end-of-year holidays. Alcohol sales stop at 11 p.m., except for Christmas Eve on the 31st which will offer special permission to revelers until one in the morning.