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Has the budget travel trend gone? Backpackers are no longer welcome in Indonesia and Thailand, and New Zealand is not waiting to see miserly tourists

author:Translation.com

Euronews reported on Aug. 30 that as more and more countries relax travel restrictions, some regions have become more picky about tourists. During the outbreak, tourism offices in many parts of the world have been experimenting with screening policies for tourist arrivals, and in the post-epidemic era, their recovery plans have reflected the attitude that "welcoming a large number of tourists is better than welcoming a small number of rich tourists".

Last week, New Zealand's Tourism Minister reiterated his desire to attract "high-quality tourists", not those who spend only $10 a day (about 69 yuan INRMB), nibble on dry noodles and drive campervans across the country.

Has the budget travel trend gone? Backpackers are no longer welcome in Indonesia and Thailand, and New Zealand is not waiting to see miserly tourists

Executives at Ryanair, Europe's largest low-cost carrier, said in a recent interview with BBC Channel 4 that rising oil prices had ended the era of low-cost flights of 10 euros (about 69 yuan RMB) and that the trend of budget travel was over.

While reducing the number of travelers may have a positive impact on the environment of popular attractions and local residents, does that also mean that tourism will be the preserve of the wealthy? In any case, there are already tourist areas that have issued warm invitations to the rich.

Has the budget travel trend gone? Backpackers are no longer welcome in Indonesia and Thailand, and New Zealand is not waiting to see miserly tourists

The Cayman Islands in the Caribbean have long given the impression of luxury tourist destinations, maintaining their high-end image even during the pandemic. The Cayman Islands launched a programme called Global Citizenship Concierge in 2020, inviting professionals and IT staff working on high-paying remote work to make their home in the UK Overseas Territory, calling on them to "experience luxury away from the world".

Its target group is clear, that is, those who earn more than $100,000 (about 690,000 RMB) a year, and these people can apply for a two-year tourist visa, with an annual fee of $1,469 (about 10,000 RMB) alone.

Has the budget travel trend gone? Backpackers are no longer welcome in Indonesia and Thailand, and New Zealand is not waiting to see miserly tourists

Fiji has positioned itself as a "billionaire's holiday destination" during the pandemic. Back in June 2020, the island nation launched the "Blue Route", which aims to provide luxury services for enthusiasts who "want to live a heavenly life and escape the real epidemic". Fiji's prime minister himself has taken to Twitter to invite billionaires with private jets, hoping they will come here to rent the island.

Has the budget travel trend gone? Backpackers are no longer welcome in Indonesia and Thailand, and New Zealand is not waiting to see miserly tourists

Before the COVID-19 outbreak, tourism accounted for 38% of Fiji's economy, and luxury tourism was the mainstay. As the pandemic subsides, the country will continue to focus on luxury tourism project development, with Tourism Fiji's plan for 2022-2024 to "attract and expand a high-value customer base" to the world.

Has the budget travel trend gone? Backpackers are no longer welcome in Indonesia and Thailand, and New Zealand is not waiting to see miserly tourists

Indonesian authorities are "dancing" around Bali's backpacker ban because they don't welcome young people who are too poor to travel there. In September 2021, Indonesia joined the post-pandemic search for "high-quality" tourists. Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs said the country's goal is to make Bali a quality tourism destination, and once the epidemic is over, Indonesia's plan to reopen to international tourists is officially implemented, and backpackers will no longer be allowed to enter.

Has the budget travel trend gone? Backpackers are no longer welcome in Indonesia and Thailand, and New Zealand is not waiting to see miserly tourists

In 2022, Bali has begun to introduce luxury hotel brands, such as Banyan Tree and Jumeirah, which is the "world's most luxurious hotel brand".

New Zealand is also starting to snubble "$10 a day" campers. New Zealand reopened its borders to tourists in August, but the standards for tourists have been raised considerably.

Has the budget travel trend gone? Backpackers are no longer welcome in Indonesia and Thailand, and New Zealand is not waiting to see miserly tourists

In the post-pandemic era, New Zealand's tourism recovery plan is targeting wealthy travellers who are willing to spend money. New Zealand Tourism Minister Stuart Nash said at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Tourism Export Council in August that wealthy people are not the kind of people who drive campervans, eat dry noodles and keep their budgets at $10 a day to travel around the country. His ideal is to attract tourists who "spend a little more money and stay longer."

Has the budget travel trend gone? Backpackers are no longer welcome in Indonesia and Thailand, and New Zealand is not waiting to see miserly tourists

Thailand has always given the image of a backpacker's paradise, but now it is trying to get rid of this image. Thailand's tourism industry began a steady recovery within months of implementing the epidemic control, during which time the thailand tested which tourists were willing to spend money through high quarantine fees.

Thailand's deputy prime minister said in July, "We can no longer attract tourists here cheaply." He suggested that Thailand should focus on a more high-end image to enhance the value of tourism. Similar to the Cayman Islands, Thailand wants well-paid IT professionals to settle in, even offering attractive conditions for a 10-year work visa.

If you were the Director of Tourism, how would you adjust your tourism policy? Do you strictly check the number of people who travel poorly?

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