The outlook for a soon reopening of the tourism industry in some of Southeast Asia's most popular destinations is bleak due to the increasing spread of the coronavirus.

Plans to open the Indonesian holiday island of Bali to foreign tourists in September have been postponed indefinitely, as virus cases there have surged since borders were opened to domestic visitors in late July.

”"It's up to God how it will be, we can't predict the future," says souvenir shop owner Kamil.

The fact that Thailand recently recorded its first case of domestic infection in over 100 days also casts a shadow over the possibilities of opening Phuket to foreigners in October. 

Yuthasak Supasorn at the tourism authority TAT says that the planned start date will probably have to be postponed to the future, but he at least hopes for an opening during Europe's winter - Thailand's high season.

Source: TT