Asia’s tourist destinations, from the Great Wall to the beautiful Kashmir valley, are seeking domestic visitors to help them get through the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, a report said.
International travel is severely restricted. Foreign tourists are unable to enter many countries, while locals cannot leave. Glamping and staycations are the new norms in Hong Kong for at least some of the 7.4 million inhabitants.
According to the U.N. World Tourism Organization, international tourist arrivals in Asia-Pacific fell 95% over the first five months of 2019 compared to the period prior to the pandemic.
The virus is constantly evolving and poses a threat to domestic tourism’s recovery., the report added.
INDIA CAUTIOUS AS A OUTBREAK RECEDES
Tourists are returning to Kashmir’s valleys and mountains after the second wave of deadly infections that struck earlier in the year have slowed down.
As Indians travel home, the traditional Kashmiri houseboats called “shikaras” are returning to the calm waters of Dal Lake. India reports about 30,000 coronavirus cases per day, a decrease from the peak of 400,000 in May. However, it is still enough to make travel restrictions from India difficult.
Nihaarika Rishabh stated that she and her husband were happy to finally leave their home in Agra for their honeymoon. This was after their wedding was delayed by the second wave. She said that the vacation in Kashmir helped to calm their nerves after months and months of the pandemic.
Ali, the owner of the houseboat, is pleased with the increase in visitors. He said, “We have been suffering for the past two years.” “Our livelihood is dependent on tourism.”
However, mountainous regions like Kashmir have seen an increase in infections due to increased visitors. This has fueled fears about a third wave.
BANGKOK’S BUSTLE IS QUIET
The Erawan Shrine, located in central Bangkok, was once bustling with tourists and locals offering offerings every day. It is now eerie and quiet. Few people purchase incense or flowers from vendors outside.
Ruedewan Thapjul said, “We are still there because we don’t know what else to do.”
Thailand is currently fighting a COVID-19 epidemic that has nearly 20,000 new cases per day. People who rely on tourism are struggling in this city, which was home to 20 million people in the year prior to the pandemic.
Suthipong Phheunphiphop is the president of Thai Travel Agents Association and urged the government not to change its plans to reopen the country for foreign tourists in October.
The streets of Bangkok’s Siam Square shopping area are almost empty at the moment.
Passavee Kraidejudompaisarn is the third-generation owner of a well-known noodle shop. She cried as she spoke about her fears about losing the family business.
The 60-year-old restaurant used to be crowded with tourists and locals, earning about $2,000 per day. She now earns slightly more than $2 per day, she stated.
CHINESE STAY IN CHINA
China has returned to a relatively normal lifestyle thanks to strict virus control measures. According to Trip.com (China’s largest online travel platform), the number of tourists who visited Beijing in June and Jul tripled, while revenue quadrupled.
Olaya Ezuidazu (Spanish national, living in Beijing) said that she felt very secure during a recent visit to the Great Wall.
The Delta variant isn’t just limited to China. Authorities had to suspend flights and trains from affected cities due to outbreaks in July and August. The number of visitors to parks and museums fell to 60%, compared with 75% in the past.
Phil Ma felt the impact on tourism at his cafe, a traditional “hutong”, neighborhood just steps from Tiananmen Square. He said, “It was evident during the three to four days between the weekend and today that the number of visitors has decreased a lot.”
His cafe’s alley was quieter than the crowd that gathered for a cup during May’s major holiday.
HONG KONG GLAMPING
Glamping, or glamorous camping, has become a popular choice in Hong Kong because of the difficulty of traveling abroad.
Vincy Lee and Berina Tam went with We Camp to Yuen Long, a remote area in the north part of Hong Kong.
Tam stated, “It’s actually an opportunity for us to really try to explore Hong Kong more.”
Glamping sites offer clean, comfortable beds and showers. Campers can also use the barbecue sites to cook kebabs or chicken wings. A nightly charge of $65 is the norm.
Bill Lau, the founder of Holimood in Hong Kong, stated that glamping is an alternative to camping.
He said, “Families and couples must find somewhere to go on weekends.”
“If we want to recreate the feeling of traveling, it should be overnight,” the report added.
Did you know that some hidden gems in Asia are getting more attention from travelers? It’s pretty awesome to see these places thriving with domestic tourists. Plus, virtual tours and online experiences are becoming a hit for those who can’t travel in person. Just goes to show how creative and resilient the travel industry can be, right?
Did you know some Asian countries are getting creative with attracting tourists safely? Japan even offers virtual tours! It’s exciting to see new ways to explore popular spots.