BANGKOK, November 3, 2021: The latest Visa research released on Tuesday indicates that Thai leisure travelers will continue to discover domestic destinations until 2022, as shorter, safer travel becomes the preferred mode of travel after Covid.
The “Consumer Voice Visa” research found that more than half (51%) of Thai respondents are likely to take a pleasure trip to Thailand within the next year, while only 23% plan to travel abroad. The results are similar to forecasts by Thailand Tourism Authority officials who said at a World Travel Market press conference on Monday that domestic travelers will account for 50% of the country’s tourism revenue in 2022.
The Visa study found that the top three factors that will make Thai travelers comfortable to travel again are having received a vaccination (67%), a reduction in global cases of Covid infections (55%), and have Covid insurance (41%).
Visa Thailand Country Director Suripong Tantiyanon said: “It is clear that the public remains cautious when it comes to travel, and there is a strong preference for security and familiarity.
“Businesses in Thai destinations should take these aspects into account when welcoming tourists, whether from Thailand or overseas, and ensure visitor safety at all levels, including payments. During the pandemic, contactless payment has seen significant growth due to its speed, convenience and security. “
Travelers across Asia-Pacific are also approaching their travel differently from the pre-Covid era. More than half (53%) will go the extra mile to book safe, quality accommodation, while 44% plan to carry more cards so they can use contactless and digital payments to avoid touching cash . Two in five respondents (42%) plan to avoid crowded tourist spots.
When it comes to major overseas travel destinations, the majority of Thai travelers want to visit Japan, followed by China, Australia, South Korea, Canada and France.
When asked about their appetite for travel, almost half (48%) said they wanted to travel in a bubble but not in the immediate future. Meanwhile, a third (33%) said they wanted to travel as soon as possible when a travel bubble is available, and the rest said they were not interested in travel bubbles.
“Cashless is no longer a question of convenience. In the post-Covid era, digital payments are synonymous with trust, security and recovery. It will be interesting to see how digital payments can play a vital role in the recovery of domestic and international tourism as consumers take additional steps to ensure health and safety. ”
