Hua Hin Received 56 Foreign Tourists Since November Reopening

Foreign tourist numbers in Hua Hin remain low even tourism associates anticipated that 100,000 foreign visitors would visit Hua Hin before the year ends, but just 56 have come so far. The THA or Thai Hotel Association notes that the gap is due to the complex entry process, the high cost of testing and quarantine, alcohol ban, nightlife activities, and entertainment venues.

Since Thailand’s reopening on November 1, only 56 of the 100,000 projected tourists have arrived in the beach resort town of Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan province. These tourists won’t be staying long. These tourists booked a total of 112 hotel stays, implying an average stay of barely 2 nights.

16 of these tourists who arrived in Hua Hin are no longer in the province and traveled to areas designated as the Blue Zone, while the remaining 40 have explored other parts of the country. To accomplish the target of 100,000 tourists by the end of the year, Hua Hin will need to welcome over 2,300 tourists daily.

The VP of Thai Hotels Association said that Hua Hin’s recent increase in COVID-19 cases and tricky Thailand Pass app process and tight entry requirements are possible reasons why potential travelers are discouraged from coming to the country.

“There are tourist arrivals that are unsure how to complete the form and believe they would face further required quarantine and strict health protocols when returning to their place of origin since Thailand remains “risky” on some countries.”

Currently, Hua Hin is experiencing tourism barriers. These include shortage of flights and health controls and guidelines to prevent COVID-19 from getting out of control. Even travelers got their Thailand Pass application approved, travelers are still disappointed about the cost of RT-PCR tests and booking 1-day mandatory quarantine while waiting for the test results. However, a newly developed RT-LAMP test may reduce test costs by up to 80 percent and reduce the waiting time by 20 minutes.

Additionally, travelers are fully aware that the Hua Hin they knew is no longer the same as the Hua Hin once they arrive. The bustling nightlife that drew foreigners eager to unwind and have a few alcoholic drinks is still closed throughout the country.

While it is well accepted that pubs and clubs continue to operate illegally in many regions, a hidden night out with the danger of legal penalties is not nearly as attractive. Unlike other Blue Zone tourist sites like Phuket and Bangkok, travelers in Hua Hin are not even permitted to enjoy alcoholic drinks since alcohol is still prohibited in eateries, creating an unwelcoming environment for visiting foreign tourists.

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SOURCE: The Pattaya News