Phuket has been free of the coronavirus disease 2019 but still needs frequent tourism promotional campaigns because its tourism has not picked up, according to the mayor of Patong district.
Chalermlak Kebsap, the mayor, said that although Phuket had been free of COVID-19 cases and eased business lockdowns were attracting Thai visitors, the economy and tourism of the southern island had not recovered.
According to her, 80-90% of the economy of Patong depended on foreign tourists and consequently only 20-30% of local hotels, restaurants, entertainment places and souvenir shops have opened. The rest remain closed to avoid loss-ridden operation.
“Patong is quiet both at day and night,” Ms Chalermlak said.
To cope, Phuket would have tourism promotional campaigns on a monthly basis, she said. They will include entertainment and seafood fairs this month, a surfing contest next month and a mountain marathon in October.
Meanwhile, the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration confirmed three new COVID-19 cases. One of them is a Thai man, 53, who returned from Singapore. Two others are Thai women who arrived from India.
The total COVID-19 cases rose to 3,359, 3,169 of whom recovered. The death toll stood at 58. (TNA)
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