People are walking on Kata Beach Thursday as Phuket reopens to foreign tourists. (Reuters photo)
Maintaining herd immunity and working together under the Phuket sandbox remain key concerns after the program begins on Thursday.
Tourism companies hope the program’s success will result in 280,000 arrivals in the fourth quarter.
“Although the sandbox is underway, many challenges remain, particularly preventing broadcasts,” said Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, president of the Phuket Tourist Association.
As a result, travel restrictions are required for both international and domestic tourists who will be vaccinated.
Mr Bhummikitti said they want local travelers to understand the need for restrictions.
When the mass vaccinations pick up again in October, tourism operators are hoping that more domestic travelers will follow suit.
The integration of the state and the private sector to create sustainable growth is another challenge, because reopening cannot be achieved by just one party.
“Sometimes government sectors are rigid and cannot cope with a situation that requires flexibility,” he said.
The reopening plan must follow standard procedures and each party must try to resolve immediate issues using a consistent process, Bhummikitti said.
For example, the province hired an additional team of tour guides so that those who had lost their jobs could help with limousine service to pick up tourists at the airport after the tests were completed.
With the extra help, tourists don’t have to wait and the electricity is dissipated.
He said the first day of reopening caused mixed feelings, but the stress subsided when all comers in the first group tested negative.
As of Friday, 2,212 tourists had received a permit to travel to Phuket, of which 528 arrived on Friday.
Another 425 are expected to land on Saturday and 385 on Sunday.