Phuket is getting ready to host 2 major tourism events, starting with the Thailand Tourism Congress 2022, which kicks off today, and the Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2022, which gets underway on Wednesday. The TTC takes place at the Beyond Resort in Kata over the next 3 days, while Angsana Laguna hosts the TTM+ 2022.
The New Straits Times describes the events as evidence of Phuket’s readiness to host international gatherings once more, after 2 years of pandemic restrictions. The island’s deputy governor, Pichet Panapong, says the events are aimed at promoting investment and reviving the local economy.
“Phuket is an area that is ready to host the TTM+ 2022 event and is a continuation of the success of the Phuket Sandbox scheme. It guarantees the island’s image as a leader in Thailand’s tourism in managing the safety of tourists at a high level. In addition, Phuket has a strong public health system. There are airports and hotels on the island with accommodation of the appropriate standard ready to support the participants.”
Several high-profile officials are expected to attend the tourism events in Phuket, including Nanthasiri Ronnasiri, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Phuket office, Dr Kusak Kukiattikoon from the provincial public health office, Phuket Tourist Association president, Bhummikitti Raktaengam and Thanet Phetsuwan, the TAT’s deputy governor of marketing for Asia and the South Pacific.
As Thailand considers declaring Covid-19 endemic at some yet-to-be-confirmed point in the future, Kiattipoom Wongrachit from the health ministry recently said the government hopes to end Thailand’s mask-mandate by the middle of this month. However, following some recent confusion in Phuket over the lifting/not lifting of its mandate on outdoor mask-wearing, nothing is certain at this stage.
