Impressive Time in Thailand with Happy Paradise Campaign

On 1 July. 2021, Thailand reopened its border to welcome international tourists again since the COVID-19 outbreak. The reopening has given tourism entrepreneurs an opportunity to recover their businesses through the Phuket Sandbox programme that was followed by the “Samui Plus” Model and the extension of the Phuket Sandbox with two other destinations: Krabi and Phang-Nga. As of now, there have been more than 30,000 international visitors arriving in Thailand and visiting the pilot destinations, thus generating income for local entrepreneurs and communities.

In order to build trust among tourists and further distribute income to the local communities, TAT has launched the “Happy Paradise” campaign consisting of various activities that support tourism and services, while enriching tourists with local experiences. The campaign’s activities consisted of giving 1,000 Happy Paradise Welcome Kits to international visitors arriving at Phuket International Airport from 12 to 14 August, 2021. The welcome kit consists of the Tourism Ambassador 2021 Special Edition badge and a journal book. When tourists show the badge or their passport to participating establishments in the sealed routes, they can get many special discounts.

In addition, the Happy Paradise campaign offers tourists with a touch of Thai with the ‘Happy Paradise Souvenir’, which is a unique local product from the Southern communities provided to tourists who stay in SHA Plus accommodation. The campaign also invites tourists to participate in an online activity and get a chance to win prize by checking into tourist destinations in Phuket, taking photos with the Happy Paradise souvenir, and including the hashtag #ThailandHappyParadise.

To further enrich tourists with a local Thai experience, the Happy Paradise Campaign showcased Manorah Dance and Ron Rae Dance performances during the last week of August. Both dances are a rare, unique, and famous local Southern performance that emphasises the value of the Thai identity representing the history of the Thai culture and folk art that have been passed down for many generations.

The Happy Paradise project, organised by TAT, is aimed at boosting confidence in the gradual reopening of Thailand to tourism among both foreign tourists and the local communities. It is also a way to generate additional income that can be distributed to these communities in the pilot reopening areas of Phuket (island-wide), Krabi (Ko Phi Phi, Ko Ngai, and Railay Beach), Phang-Nga (Khao Lak and Ko Yao), and Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao).