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Beachgoers were enjoying the humid weather on a Thai island on Friday afternoon, November 5, amid a revival of tourism following the desecration caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Visitors flocked to the island of Koh Larn several miles from the coast of Pattaya in eastern Thailand as domestic and international travel picks up again.
The country has been through a number of partial lockdowns due to rising numbers of infections since March 2020 but restrictions on domestic tourism were lifted in recent months and from November 1, fully vaccinated international travellers have been allowed to enter the country with just one day of hotel quarantine.
Economists have warned that it could still be another five years before the country’s tourism industry returns to pre-pandemic levels.
Two years ago tourism made up an estimated 21 per cent of Thailand’s GDP, generating 1.8 trillion baht in revenue. However, the country’s National Economic and Social Development Council predicted that it could be another five years before similar numbers are seen.
Analysts said that between now and 2026, around seven million workers will continue to be affected by the economic harm from the Covid-19 pandemic.