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THE WAIT is almost over, Phuket will welcome international travellers back to its pure shores on 1st July 2021, following the start of the ‘Phuket Sandbox’ initiative. To celebrate this long-awaited milestone, hotels and resorts across the island have created a series of promotions and packages to reward overseas guests for returning to the ‘Pearl of the Andaman’.
The island’s hospitality industry is abuzz with anticipation! While Phuket has been delighted to serve the domestic market over the last 15 months, it has missed its cherished international clientele. The first guests expected to arrive will be from traditional long-haul European markets, such as the UK, France, Germany, Russia and Scandinavia.
They will be able to enter the island without the need to quarantine, as long as they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and fly direct to Phuket. After 14 days in Phuket, visitors are free to travel wherever they want in Thailand, but they can also stay for less than two weeks if they have an international flight back home.
These first responders will be greeted with warm southern Thai smiles from a community that has been over 70% vaccinated, to ensure the safety of locals and visitors alike. Hospitality companies have also implemented enhanced health and safety protocols, in line with official guidance from Thai authorities and the World Health Organization.
‘So all visitors can relax with complete peace-of-mind as they enjoy Phuket’s idyllic ambience and spectacular scenery. International travellers have always loved Phuket. The island offers a diverse range of experiences with amazing facilities, hidden natural wonders, fabulous retail therapy, great yachting destinations, and so many local and world-class F&B options. We look forward to saying ‘sawasdee krup’ as we warmly welcome travelers back to the Land of Smiles,” said Anthony Lark, President of the Phuket Hotels Association.
The Phuket Sandbox is the first phase of a nationwide strategy to reopen Thailand to overseas travellers, with additional destinations expected to follow suit in the coming months. [sources/photo special]
