Cruise ships save the day in Koh Samui
It’s Europeans to the rescue in Koh Samui, as the last group of Chinese tourists for the foreseeable future left on Tuesday. Two cruise ships brought thousands of European visitors yesterday to save this southern resort island’s struggling economy. About 3,500 passengers, mostly from Britain and Germany, arrived aboard the German-flagged AIDAbella and the British-registered Marella Discovery.
Groups of tourists visited all the major attractions including Chaweng beach, local temples, restaurants and souvenir shops, much to the relief of local businesses. Smiling shop owners say their arrival has revived Koh Samui.
Surat Thani’s governor says 11 cruise ships are expected to arrive in Koh Samui this month and will do much to compensate for the absence of Chinese visitors. Flights from China are suspended because China has stopped all outbound group travel.
The governor says visitors on yesterday’s arrivals were screened and no one was found infected with the Novel Coronavirus.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
