South-East Asia’s tourism industry is hobbled by uncertainty
Labour shortages and changing border rules are causing chaos for businesses
A THAI BEACH in high season is normally a carnival of umbrellas and selfie sticks, drained coconuts and peeling skin. But this year Koh Samui, an island popular with foreign tourists, “is like a graveyard”, says Virach Pongchababnapa, a local hotelier. Tourists are gone. Hotels and restaurants are boarded up. “There is no life, no movement,” Mr Virach sighs.
This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “Out of office”
Asia February 5th 2022
- South-East Asia’s tourism industry is hobbled by uncertainty
- India’s government and its greens disagree on what counts as forest
- Papua New Guinea’s vaccination rate is only 3.3%
- What is behind North Korea’s flurry of missile tests?
- Japan is searching for the secrets to healthy old age
- Myanmar’s generals have a dubious role model in Thailand
From the February 5th 2022 edition
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