The government has launched a scheme to offer visitors up to $14,000 in medical coverage in the event of an accident as the kingdom seeks to lure travelers back after the coronavirus pandemic. The ministry said Thursday it has allocated 50 million baht from a central fund to provide financial support for foreign tourists. It will cover expenses up to 500,000 baht ($14,000) and pay compensation of up to one million baht in case of death under the new scheme, which will be proposed to the cabinet next week. The minister of tourism and sports, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, said the campaign is meant to reassure foreigners that Thailand values their safety.
The country had to impose strict travel restrictions during the pandemic. As the COVID-19 crisis is easing, many countries are focusing on developing policy measures to help tourism businesses recover. Some of the critical areas being highlighted by industry leaders include providing financial relief for tourism business owners, allowing them to reimburse customers through vouchers that are transferable to other people, deferring payments on commercial leases and licenses of occupation, and compensating tour guides and other hospitality workers who have lost income as a result of the ban on significant public events.
Many governments also set up dedicated Cabinet committees and task forces to ensure whole-of-government leadership and coordination across policy areas. In Canada, for example, the minister responsible for tourism plays a leading role in the cabinet-level Committee on the Federal Response to Coronavirus Disease, which meets regularly to ensure robust and effective mitigation measures are implemented. It is expected that the Committee will be instrumental in supporting a strong and sustainable tourism recovery for the country.
