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Combating the impacts of Covid-19, leading retreats tackle emotional wellbeing and immunity
Thailand’s reopening has heralded the return of its resorts. Currently marketing themselves to wary audiences in the ‘new normal’, Kamalaya Koh Samui and Chiva-Som are among those hoping to entice travellers back with post-pandemic wellness programmes designed to combat the impact of Covid-19.
Koh Samui-based Kamalaya has developed timely five and seven-night programmes Embracing Change and Resilience & Immunity that could aid the recovery of both guests and the industry.
Attractive propositions for reticent travellers, held in the remote island retreat, the packages offer ample social distancing, while addressing issues brought to the fore by the pandemic. The Embracing Change programme includes therapy to build emotional strength, healthy habits and inner equilibrium, despite the challenges of today’s environment. The Resilience & Immunity programme focuses on boosting physical immunity.
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Meanwhile, competitor Chiva-Som, located on the mainland in Hua Hin, recently launched Immune Resilience, which incorporates nutrient-rich food, detoxifying treatments and mindful exercise to boost the body’s defences.
Commenting on the destination’s opening to international travellers, Chiva-Som GM Vaipanya Kongkwanyuen said: “I’m delighted for Hua Hin to reopen, and look forward to welcoming our international guests back soon. Health and wellness are now more important than ever, and all our staff are fully vaccinated and have been trained in global health standards, including wearing masks and personal protective equipment when needed.”
Kamalaya Koh Samui
John and Karina Stewart, founders of Kamalaya Koh Samui, also issued a statement, saying: “The world has gone through a collective trauma, and all our programmes at Kamalaya have been curated to transform, nurture, guide and support with compassion. We are here to serve and care for our guests with a heartfelt and genuine connection. Guests can fly into Koh Samui and come immediately to Kamalaya to start their programme and relax. It’s so simple; the whole process is seamless. From arrival on Samui, you come to Kamalaya and it’s as if you are on your normal holiday.”
‘Normal holidays’ is exactly what Thailand needs. The country relies heavily on tourism and the industry has been devastated by the coronavirus. Previously, tourism accounted for 20% of the country’s GDP, but the number of people visiting Thailand dropped significantly in 2020 and 2021 due to travel restrictions.
The gradual reopening of the country began with the Sandbox programme, in which visitors were successfully welcomed back to selected destinations in limited numbers from 1 July 2021.
Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Yuthasak Supasorn said: “Phuket and Koh Samui have welcomed more than 50,000 fully-jabbed international visitors as part of the initiative, which enables vaccinated travellers to fly directly to the destination and stay on the islands, but not leave, without quarantine.”
The Sandbox programme continues, and now, since 1 November 2021, new rules allow fully vaccinated travellers from 46 low-risk destinations to visit Thailand and move around freely without quarantine under the Test & Go protocol. Visitors must have Covid-19 travel insurance, present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours, take an additional test on arrival, and self-test on day six or seven after arrival.
For more information, visit TAT