Thai tourism rebound will lag other hot spots, hotelier says

BANGKOK, Feb 5 (Bloomberg): American-born Thai businessman Bill Heinecke spoke out against Thailand’s border reopening, saying the South-East Asian nation should look to less-conservative policies that have been implemented in parts of Europe and travel hot spots such as the Maldives as models to follow to revive its tourism industry.

"If you’re vaccinated and tested you must be allowed to travel without so much paperwork,” said Heinecke, the founder and chairman of Minor International Pcl, one of Asia’s largest hospitality, restaurant and lifestyle companies. Tourism numbers in Thailand are "going to be tough and challenging for a while until the government changes its position.”