THAILAND. Bangkok: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in partnership with the King Power International Group, has launched a new marketing campaign, “Phuket is now open”, under the theme of ‘Amazing Thailand, Now even more Amazing’. TAT is sharing the new TVC ‘Amazing Moments in Phuket’ on global channels, including BBC World News and Euro News, as well as the publicity channels of King Power, Leicester City FC, and Dug Out from 16 June 2021, onwards.
Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, said, “The campaign forms part of the Royal Thai Government’s efforts to prepare the island ready to welcome back fully vaccinated visitors under the ‘Phuket Sandbox’ model from 1 July 2021.”
Placing emphasis on sports tourism, the “Phuket is now open” campaign is launched with a TVC ‘Amazing Moments in Phuket’ that features three of Leicester City FA Cup 2021 winners – James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, and Kelechi Iheanacho to convey a message of how Phuket is ready to welcome back international visitors.
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While sharing memorable experiences that await all visitors in Phuket, the TVC is also sending out emotional memories with postcard images of sporting activities; such as, scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, sailing, parachuting, and triathlon, as well as natural attractions, the old town, and cuisine.
COVID vaccination in Phuket
To date, 54% of Phuket’s population has received COVID-19 vaccines, while Phuket is working to contain local transmission and bring the number of new COVID-19 cases close to zero.
TAT Governor, Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn proudly says that he meets Phuket’s latest entry requirements – that all arrivals at all points of entry must be fully vaccinated. He said, “I was required to show proof of my vaccination and undergo all entry requirements in compliance with the COVID-19 control measures. This is testament to our commitment to reopen the island safely to not just fully vaccinated foreign tourists, but also Thai visitors while maintaining public health safety for everyone living on the island.”
“The ‘Sandbox’ model signifies public health safety for all. Phuket will be the pilot destination to reopen in the third quarter to fully vaccinated foreign visitors from low-risk countries under strict rules and regulations. Safety is paramount in the reopening of Phuket,” Mr. Yuthasak said.
Under the Sandbox model, Phuket plans to safely achieve herd immunity against COVID-19 for 70% of the island’s population with the number of new COVID-19 cases being close to zero by 30 June 2021.
Phuket Vice Governor, Mr. Pichet Panapong, said Phuket started the island-wide vaccination from 1 April 2021, under the plan to inoculate 466,000 people on the island (about 70% of the population), including 300,000 local residents, 100,000 non-residents, and the remaining being foreign residents and migrant workers.
In addition to the vaccination program and COVID-19 containment measures, Phuket is also working on landscaping as well as addressing other safety measures; such as road safety, water transport safety, and similar types of tourists’ safety to safely welcome back all visitors.
Meanwhile, Phuket is the first destination to elevate the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) certification program with the Amazing Thailand SHA+ initiative.
Mr. Kongsak Khoopongsakorn, President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA) Southern Chapter, said, “The Amazing Thailand SHA+ logo is awarded to hotel establishments in Phuket where at least 70% of staff are inoculated. Phuket hotels are now ready to welcome back guests.”
Introduced in May 2021, the Amazing Thailand SHA is used to assess 10 types of business; namely, restaurants and diners; hotels, accommodation, and homestays; recreational activities and tourist attractions; transportation; travel agencies; health and beauty; department stores and shopping centers; sports for tourism; activities and meetings, theatres and entertainment, and souvenir shops and other shops. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) recently certified the Amazing Thailand SHA certification in alignment with the WTTC SafeTravels protocols.
Mr. Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, President of the Phuket Tourism Council, added, “When we are talking about reopening Phuket, we are not only talking about Phuket, but we are talking about reopening Thailand. Also, the reopening effort is to welcome back everyone, both local and international visitors, because each and everyone is important to the revival of Thailand’s tourism.”
Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, said, “The TAT Newsroom has been a trusted source of English language tourism-related news and updates in Thailand for two decades since 2001. Foreign embassies and news networks have placed their confidence in the TAT Newsroom over the years.
“Therefore, for the reopening of Phuket, the TAT Newsroom will also be the center for accurate information and will provide regular news and updates as soon as further official information becomes available.”
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