Sustainable Tourism Recovery amid the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Case Study of the Phuket Sandbox Scheme
Sustainable Tourism Recovery amid the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Case Study of the Phuket Sandbox Scheme

Summary/Abstract: As a tourism-dependent country, Thailand has suffered tremendously amid the COVID-19 pandemic. As a pioneering move to reopen the country, the Island of Phuket has begun to welcome fully vaccinated international visitors under the Phuket Sandbox Scheme since July 2021. This research gained insight into the perceived issues of reviving the tourism industry amid COVID-19 by using the Phuket Sandbox Scheme as a case study. This research undertook a focus group interview of 15 international tourists who have entered Thailand through the Phuket Sandbox Scheme in February 2022. Drawing from thematic analysis, three perceived issues have been identified, including lack of spontaneity, bureaucratic process, and lack of contingency plans. This research contributed to the existing body of knowledge and literature in the subject area of post-crisis tourism recovery and resilience. Also, this research developed a framework that shed light on the essential role played by the central government in coordinating with relevant stakeholders and parties to recover the tourism industry amid the crisis, which goes beyond the context of Phuket.

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