Thailand tops the list of destinations for the return of Chinese May Day travellers

[webfact]

 

By Editor

 

A global travel distribution company has announced the return of Chinese tourists during the May Day holidays. With Chinese travel restrictions easing and vaccinations becoming more widely available, Chinese travelers are eager to explore the world once again.

 

Bookings in China for trips abroad continue to recover fast.

 

According to recent data Chinese travelers’ international hotel bookings for the upcoming May Day holiday, for which many people in China take 5 days off from April 29 until May 3, have increased 30-fold YOY, surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 volumes by 18%.

 

Chinese international hotel bookings have also increased by 47% YOY, reaching 95% of their 2019 level. Moreover, the international average length of a hotel stay is about 2 room nights during the May Day holiday, in line with pre-pandemic data.

 

As of April 20th, the Top 20 most booked international destinations for Chinese tourists during the May Day holidays have been Thailand, Malaysia, USA, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, UAE, Singapore, Vietnam, Australia, UK, South Korea, Italy, Spain, France, Turkey, Canada, Germany, Brazil, and the Netherlands.

 

These diverse destinations offer a wide range of attractions and experiences, from beautiful beaches and natural wonders to cultural landmarks and world-class shopping.

 

The significant growth in the Chinese outbound tourism sector during the May Day holidays will be a significant driver of recovery for the wider catering, hospitality, aviation and logistics sectors.

 

Rikin Wu, DidaTravel’s CEO and Founder comments: “We are delighted to see the return of Chinese outbound travel during the May Day holidays. It is testament to the pent-up demand for international travel that exists in China.  

 

We look forward to working closely with our partners worldwide and getting ready to welcome ever more Chinese travelers in the coming months and years.”

 

Prior to the pandemic, in 2019 DidaTravel sold hotel bookings in the China & APAC region worth over $700 million.

 

Known variously around the world as May Day or Labour Day, 01 May is celebrated each year in Thailand as National Labour Day and is a public holiday taken by private companies and banks, though not usually by government officials.

 

Source: https://royalcoastreview.com/2023/04/thailand-tops-the-list-of-destinations-for-the-return-of-chinese-may-day-travellers/

 

-- © Copyright Royal Coast Review 2023-04-27

 

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[daveAustin]

Thailand tops the list of destinations for the return of Chinese May Day travellers
 

Great, looking forward to it. ????????

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Chinese travelers are eager to explore the world once again.

More like eager to get out from Xi's clutches, and the way he confined them during Covid.

[jcmj]

Looks like they will do anything right now to get more tourists from China. I’ll bet we will see the zero dollar tours return just so they can get the numbers up. Definitely not looking forward to all those buses clogging the roads. 

[bradiston]

This is just a nonsense advertorial.

[nigelforbes]

15 minutes ago, bradiston said:

This is just a nonsense advertorial.

Yes it probably is, but it almost certainly has its roots in fact. Logically, Chinese are beginning to travel more, logically that destination is here, unfortunately.

[Moti24]

A global travel distribution company has announced the return of Chinese tourists during the May Day holidays. 

 

Thanks for the warning.

[Iron Tongue]

Wasn't there an article just a day or two ago stating that Chinese tourists aren't returning in the same numbers as before Covid?

[spidermike007]

Thailand does have alot to offer. But, world class shopping is not one of them. Any wealthy friend who has visited has told me the wife was complaining about not being able to shop. Not a lack of selection. But, stupid pricing on luxury goods. So, you want to attract wealthy tourists? Lower luxury taxes to 20%. And wine taxes to 60%.

 

In other words, do something unfathomable. Make a sacrifice for tourism. 

[Sticky Rice Balls]

12 minutes ago, Iron Tongue said:

Wasn't there an article just a day or two ago stating that Chinese tourists aren't returning in the same numbers as before Covid?

the duality of thais..  ????

[Lucky Bones]

A "global travel distribution company"

 

Righto...I'm in...how much?

[sammieuk1]

Ok no more kidnapping murdering extortion stories for a week TAT wants some figures to add up ????

[ezzra]

28 minutes ago, Moti24 said:

A global travel distribution company

What a crock, what does a 'a global travel distribution' even means'? or is just a feel good article?

[brucegoniners]

Thrills...

[jacko45k]

3 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Being that the May day holiday in China is 1 day I don't think this is very big news at all. Just more prattle.

It is a Monday this year and I believe usually celebrated on Mondays,  so a long weekend,

[dinsdale]

2 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

It is a Monday this year and I believe usually celebrated on Mondays,  so a long weekend,

????

[bradiston]

3 hours ago, nigelforbes said:

Yes it probably is, but it almost certainly has its roots in fact. Logically, Chinese are beginning to travel more, logically that destination is here, unfortunately.

Well, here's a more reliable link which, amazingly, does bear this out, though I doubt logic plays a big role. I mean, why aren't Macau, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan, all Mandarin/Cantonese speaking, more attractive than monoglot Thailand? And what - no gambling? Guns galore. Kidnaps, murder and mayhem. I'd give it a wide berth. But it's probably an affordability thing. Group tours? You know they make sense!

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/14/where-are-chinese-travelers-going-thailand-and-more-in-southeast-asia.html

 

I say more reliable, as a lot of figures are quoted from trip.com and Ctrip, both Chinese booking platforms.

[Rimmer]

Unattributed post removed

[RichardColeman]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

As of April 20th, the Top 20 most booked international destinations for Chinese tourists during the May Day holidays have been Thailand, Malaysia, USA, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, UAE, Singapore, Vietnam, Australia, UK, South Korea, Italy, Spain, France, Turkey, Canada, Germany, Brazil, and the Netherlands.

Guess after the cartoon invasion promo , Taiwan is off the menu 

[NanLaew]

Christ on a bloody bike! Yet another invented 'surge' of Chinese tourists that won't bloody happen.

 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Chinese travelers are eager to explore the world once again. ...

The world. THE WORLD!!!

 

Mayday!...Mayday!...Mayday!...

 

[IamNoone88]

All good things come to an end as does the utopian world during Covid where there was not a single Chinese tourist in sight.

[nigelforbes]

35 minutes ago, bradiston said:

Well, here's a more reliable link which, amazingly, does bear this out, though I doubt logic plays a big role. I mean, why aren't Macau, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan, all Mandarin/Cantonese speaking, more attractive than monoglot Thailand? And what - no gambling? Guns galore. Kidnaps, murder and mayhem. I'd give it a wide berth. But it's probably an affordability thing. Group tours? You know they make sense!

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/14/where-are-chinese-travelers-going-thailand-and-more-in-southeast-asia.html

 

I say more reliable, as a lot of figures are quoted from trip.com and Ctrip, both Chinese booking platforms.

Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and Macau are all very expensive by comparison, they also appeal separately to different levels of Chinese society. Thailand is a good location for anyone from poor/low spenders, up through upper middle class and potentially beyond. Obviously, there are lots more poor Chinese than wealthy ones.

 

There may also be travel and access issues into HK and Taiwan for many mainlanders, unsure at the moment.

[shackleton]

So the breakfast buffet will be packed early  over the Mayday holiday 

In Bangkok and Pattaya 

Last time I was in a hotel in Bangkok with Chinese guests  they were queueing up at 0600hrs breakfast started 0630hrs

Good old days ????

 

[Clarkey611]

Remind me to stay home this weekend and go out again on Tuesday!

[bradiston]

2 hours ago, nigelforbes said:

Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and Macau are all very expensive by comparison, they also appeal separately to different levels of Chinese society. Thailand is a good location for anyone from poor/low spenders, up through upper middle class and potentially beyond. Obviously, there are lots more poor Chinese than wealthy ones.

 

There may also be travel and access issues into HK and Taiwan for many mainlanders, unsure at the moment.

Here's another take on it.

 

https://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2023/04/chinas-outbound-trips-peaks-for-labour-day/

[geisha]

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Thailand does have alot to offer. But, world class shopping is not one of them. Any wealthy friend who has visited has told me the wife was complaining about not being able to shop. Not a lack of selection. But, stupid pricing on luxury goods. So, you want to attract wealthy tourists? Lower luxury taxes to 20%. And wine taxes to 60%.

 

In other words, do something unfathomable. Make a sacrifice for tourism. 

I can confirm that luxury goods are well over priced in Thailand. You can go to the upscale Malls around Bangkok and you’ll see hardly a customer. Compare that to a shop in Cannes on the Croisette, where there is a healthy queue outside waiting to get in. They are fully stocked with all the latest models. I have a friend working for C Dior and the takings are astronomical.  Prada, Chanel , Vuitton Hermès, Givenchy, saint Laurent, they’re all there.  Of course there are other cities, Dubai, New York etc. 
same with vintage wines and top class restaurants. In my 38 years of Thailand I have never found decent ladies clothes, all cheap Chinese rubbish.

Men do have it easier as it’s more a classic thing.  And of course , life in Thailand doesn’t call for designer

goods. 
So don’t expect Singaporeans, or Tourists from Hong Kong to come to buy Chanel. They have all they need at home. A cheap one will cost you from 5/6 thousand euros up to 10 thousand € and much much more for the best. A Birkin will set you back about 90 000 €. 
well off Thai ladies are best sticking to traditional Thai silk from Bangkok shops. 
PS, I have no personal views on this, just stating facts.

 

[John Drake]

4 hours ago, bradiston said:

Well, here's a more reliable link which, amazingly, does bear this out, though I doubt logic plays a big role. I mean, why aren't Macau, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan, all Mandarin/Cantonese speaking, more attractive than monoglot Thailand? And what - no gambling? Guns galore. Kidnaps, murder and mayhem. I'd give it a wide berth. But it's probably an affordability thing. Group tours? You know they make sense!

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/14/where-are-chinese-travelers-going-thailand-and-more-in-southeast-asia.html

 

I say more reliable, as a lot of figures are quoted from trip.com and Ctrip, both Chinese booking platforms.

That article from CNBC is more than two months old. Since then several articles have appeared on this site saying Chinese travel has disappointed or that figures are falling off.

[Mavideol]

7 hours ago, bradiston said:

This is just a nonsense advertorial.

agree, nothing but another TAT expectation/wishful thinking/dream on  as some friends living there they didn't paint a very bright picture on the contrary, it appears many Chinese have no money available to travel

[bradiston]

30 minutes ago, John Drake said:

That article from CNBC is more than two months old. Since then several articles have appeared on this site saying Chinese travel has disappointed or that figures are falling off.

Thanks for pointing that out, but February this year is not bad for related articles. Hard to find up to date stuff.

[BarraMarra]

7 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Thailand does have alot to offer. But, world class shopping is not one of them. Any wealthy friend who has visited has told me the wife was complaining about not being able to shop. Not a lack of selection. But, stupid pricing on luxury goods. So, you want to attract wealthy tourists? Lower luxury taxes to 20%. And wine taxes to 60%.

 

In other words, do something unfathomable. Make a sacrifice for tourism. 

Not a chance Spidermike they will be ringing their hands to hike up prices for the Gullible Chinese. Is it a coincidence that the same day TAT predicted millions this year?

Edited April 27, 2023 by BarraMarra