BANGKOK, Jan 25 (TNA) – After China approved overseas group tours to resume to several countries including Thailand from Feb 6, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has seen about 25-30 per cent of Chinese tour group bookings.

 TAT deputy governor of marketing for Asia and South Pacific, Thanet Phetsuwan said that Thailand is among 20 countries approved by China for outbound tour groups.

 

The TAT joined hands with leading Chinese tour agencies to prepare for tour package sales in major cities like Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Kunming next month.

It is expected to clearly see an increase in arrivals of Chinese tour groups from March or April. Currently, there are about 25-30 per cent of tour group bookings from China as only 30 per cent of flights between China's major cities and Thailand have resumed.

 

Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-1101643

 

-- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2023-01-25

 

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People here have zero memory. Whu brought the plague to the world ?

Was the pregnant teen who swolled dog shampoo a Chinese on a group tour?

 

I cant believe that from 6th february travel agencies will be able to bring that many package tours and that they are already sold. As package tours are rock bottom prices it takes time to properly organise them - getting flights full (mainly charters), as well as getting full big hotels, tour buses etc. 
As of December there were only 14 direct flights from china, some of them weekly (not daily). 

That 30% is rather projection for the next months and not what is happening right now. 
Sales will be organised for February, that would mean tours would be coming at the end of season and off season, which is from middle of March till July. 
But covid situation in china itself is not clear. Those package tours might never materialise, if Thailand will put some restrictions, like pre-arrival PCR or china will put similar rules as retaliation. 

Chinese citizens have to apply for their passports, as they were not issued for 3 years. 
They also need insurance to thailand, that requirement might last past January

Edited January 25, 20233 yr by internationalism

4 hours ago, webfact said:

group tours to resume to several countries including Thailand from Feb 6, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has seen about 25-30 per cent of Chinese tour group bookings.

Wait, so they are already seeing the group tours arriving, but wait I thought it was not until the 8th of February they could start the group tours.

11 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Wait, so they are already seeing the group tours arriving, but wait I thought it was not until the 8th of February they could start the group tours.

They are seeing the bookings, the reservations, not the tours.

Will all hotels and restaurants accept them as many might have Covid?

^ Many of them might have Covid, but all of them will have money.

 

The Hotels and restaurants will probably all be rolling out the welcome mat.

7 hours ago, webfact said:

After China approved overseas group tours to resume to several countries including Thailand from Feb 6, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has seen about 25-30 per cent of Chinese tour group bookings.

Confusing. TAT 'has seen about 25-30 per cent (...) of (...) bookings'... - I get it that only 30 per cent of flights have resumed so far.

 

So, what has TAT "seen"? Or do all Chinese tour groups have to communicate their tours with the TAT for approval?

Edited January 25, 20233 yr by StayinThailand2much

3 hours ago, nigelforbes said:

They are seeing the bookings, the reservations, not the tours.

Got it, misread the OP, oh wait did it say bookings, actual flight manifests and hotels booked?  Seeing a booking and seeing them arrive are 2 different things 

16 hours ago, vandeventer said:

Will all hotels and restaurants accept them as many might have Covid?

What do you think? My expectation is wholeheartedly!

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

What do you think? My expectation is wholeheartedly!

Next question, would you eat there if it was full of Chinese tourist? Be honest!

5 minutes ago, vandeventer said:

Next question, would you eat there if it was full of Chinese tourist? Be honest!

If I could determine in advance a hotel was accepting large groups of Chinese, I would not be booking there....I have past experiences and wish to keep them distant past experiences.

 

25 to 30 percent of what?

Weird headline to say the least .

 

On 1/25/2023 at 2:11 PM, Deli said:

People here have zero memory. Whu brought the plague to the world ?

Fleas I do believe 

 

On 1/25/2023 at 2:11 PM, Deli said:

People here have zero memory. Whu brought the plague to the world ?

 

11 hours ago, vandeventer said:

Next question, would you eat there if it was full of Chinese tourist? Be honest!

I would not. Not because they were Chinese, but simply because the expectation that if the establishment was catering to Chinese, it would be serving s.hi.t.e quality.