Phangnga's local tourism council expects to welcome 3,000 visitors and earn up to 500 million baht in tourism revenue in the early phase of the government's next tourism sandbox scheme.
The projections follow the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration's (CCSA) approval of a new "7+7" model allowing tourists under the Phuket Sandbox scheme to leave the island after seven days and travel to other designated safe areas.
Under the 7+7 model which took effect on Aug 17, tourists can travel to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao in Surat Thani; Khao Lak, Kho Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi in Phangnga; Koh Phi Phi, Railay Beach, and Koh Ngai in Krabi.
Phangna's tourism chiefs are hopeful that visitors will choose Khao Lak over Kho Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi.
Pongsakorn Ketprapakorn, the council's president, said tourists who want to visit the province under the 7+7 model are advised to use the new CHABA website, through which tourists can book rooms at certified hotels and tour packages from participating businesses. He said visitors must comply with drawn up by the Tourism and Sports Ministry and the Foreign Ministry, and must also have negative Covid-19 results before leaving Phuket.
A source at the provincial tourism office said that three hotels have received bookings by foreign visitors so far, one each in Kho Yao, Takua Pa and Khao Lak districts. The province reported no new Covid-19 case yesterday, while accumulated cases since April 11 stood at 788 with four deaths.