Spring break has added a boost to Hawaiʻi’s tourism numbers, especially when it comes to visitors from the continental United States. There’s a different holiday coming next month that may have an impact on another warm-weather destination in the Pacific.
There’s an annual festival in Thailand where people splash water on each other — have good-natured squirt gun fights with strangers, and share a lot of laughter along with the water.
It’s called Songkran — it takes place in the middle of April — and it’s become a big draw for international tourists.
The festival marks the traditional Thai New Year — and this year it’s a challenge for Thailand’s government.
Health officials worry about the spread of the coronavirus — while tourism officials want to draw more visitors.
Nationally, new cases of COVID-19 are high in Thailand — setting a new daily record of more than 27,000 on Friday.
Still, some restrictions are loosening. Visitors will still need to be vaccinated — and tested during their stay — but starting April 1, it will be less frequent testing.
By year’s end, Thai tourism officials hope to attract 5.5 million visitors for 2022 — compared to 40 million a year before the pandemic.
In the shorter term, they also hope to host visitors for Songkran — although the usual water splashing is not allowed in public this year.
The festival’s connection with water is meant to wash off the past year — giving an opportunity for a new start — something Thailand’s visitor industry would no doubt welcome as well.
