The tourism industry is currently facing the brunt of the impact from the COVID-19 virus. It is said that the entire system is suffering greatly, as livelihoods have abruptly come to a halt. Airlines, hotels, tour companies, guides—whether inbound or outbound, public transport, and various tourist attractions are all in a dire situation.

The end is not yet in sight, and the aftermath is looming. Just think about it: who would have the desire to travel, especially to far-off places like Europe, which is a hotspot for the virus? Nearby destinations like Vietnam or Myanmar, where the infection rates are low, seem appealing, or perhaps we should consider domestic travel first. During the recovery phase, this could be a viable opportunity.

It's uncertain, but after engaging in online chess, online card games, and online shopping, we might soon have to resort to online travel as well.

Personally, I often use the method of "mental travel" or online travel. Sometimes, when I want to visit a city, I search for beautiful hotels and interesting attractions there, plan the trip thoroughly, and then sometimes end up not going at all.

For famous tourist cities like Prague, Paris, Barcelona, and Santorini, I can imagine visiting them by searching for documentaries on those cities on YouTube, and then watching them clearly on my television. It’s an enjoyable experience, especially when accompanied by food and drinks, serving as a form of virtual entertainment that suits the digital age.

At this moment, everything can only be experienced virtually because real experiences are not possible. We must accept these limitations, but it’s hard to accept playing chess against a machine or traveling through mere images and sounds without the taste and smell of reality.

Ultimately, the days of seeking happiness through travel will return because it is a joy and life experience for humans that is not considered excessive if one knows how to choose wisely.

For now, those involved must adapt to survive. Some hotels have shifted to focus on preparing takeout meals, while tourist transport services have turned to cater to local residents for short trips.

As long as there is still breath, there is hope for a comeback.

Fortunately, Thailand has a solid foundation for tourism. Once things return to normal, neighboring countries will surely flock back to visit.

As for outbound travel, Thai people have always enjoyed spending on trips abroad, so it won’t be long before we’re back at it; we just need to hold on a little longer.

SOURCE: www.tonkit360.com