Thailand attracted nearly 40 million foreign visitors in 2019.
New Delhi: Thailand is targeting newly minted crypto millionaires to revitalize its pandemic-hit tourism industry.
According to Governor Yuthasak Supasorn, the Tourism Authority of Thailand is working with the country’s regulators and a local cryptocurrency exchange to pave the way for the acceptance of digital tokens for travel. . That could help the tourism-dependent nation recoup some $80 billion in lost revenue due to the pandemic, he said.
“There are people who have become rich from holding digital currencies and they may want to use the assets they have accumulated,” Yuthasak said in an interview on Thursday. “If they can use their currency here without having to exchange or face government taxes, that will create convenience for them.”
Thailand, popular with holidaymakers for its tropical islands dotted with pristine beaches and vibrant nightlife, attracted nearly 40 million foreign visitors in 2019, generating business. revenue of more than 60 billion dollars. But the pandemic forced the country to close its borders for more than a year before reopening it to travelers who had been vaccinated last month.
“If Thailand is looking to recover about 80% of its pre-pandemic tourism revenue by 2023 but with half the number of foreign tourists we saw in 2019, we can get there. by getting someone like Russell Crowe or a crypto holder like Tim Cook to travel here,” Yuthasak said.
#Thailand#Bangkok So many great restaurants, street markets, even mall food stalls can have great fresh options.
Found this surprise one day #lostinbangkok exploration.
It’s called Fats & Angry!!
Great humour, great burgers.
Chef “made with love” said pic.twitter.com/C9BqCbI535– Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) November 23, 2021
Although Thailand has allowed quarantine-free entry for travelers from more than 60 countries, tourism is likely to only return to pre-Covid levels by 2024, Yuthasak said. The country is targeting around 1 million high-spending tourists in the first quarter of next year, he said, adding that the authorities are betting on eventually 10% of crypto holders. Will travel to Thailand.
“Cryptocurrency is the future, so we have to make Thailand a crypto-active society to welcome this quality group of tourists,” said Yuthasak.
