Phuket’s golden opportunity: Chinese tourists set to make waves this weekend

[webfact]

 

The renowned resort island of Phuket is preparing for an influx of Chinese tourists as China gears up for Golden Week starting this weekend and the continuation of the visa-free scheme for Chinese nationals. The surge in tourists is expected to start towards the end of the week.

 

The anticipation also extends to the forthcoming Chinese New Year, which will mark the Year of the Dragon in February.

 

Phuket Tourism Association’s (PTA) president, Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, reported that the current tourism level, including both domestic and international visitors, is approximately 68% of what it was pre-pandemic. He noted that in 2019, Phuket welcomed about 13 million tourists, which included 3.1 million Chinese visitors. In comparison, approximately 900,000 Chinese tourists have visited this year, he added.

However, the visa-free scheme, introduced on Monday for Chinese and Kazakh nationals, is projected to increase the number of Chinese tourists to 1.7 million this year. This scheme is set to run until February 29.

 

by Mitch Connorn

Picture courtesy of Phuketindex.

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-09-27

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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[grain]

They'll have a ball at Phuket, with over-loaded tour boats sinking, and getting muay-Thai kicks from the taxi drivers. Hopefully the Kazaks can give as good as they get and sort out some of those Phuket taxi/songteaw mafia thugs.

[Geoffggi]

11 minutes ago, webfact said:

The renowned resort island of Phuket is preparing for an influx of Chinese tourists as China gears up for Golden Week starting this weekend and the continuation of the visa-free scheme for Chinese nationals.

Plus they are welcome to it Ha Ha ????????

[BarraMarra]

Phuket throws its arms up and celebrates thousands of Khazak tourists as visa rules make it easier for Chinese and khazah tourists flood in.

Phuket welcomes Chinese, Kazakh visa-free tourists

PHUKET: Tourists arriving from China and Kazakhstan today (Sept 25), the first day of ‘visa-free’ travel for people visiting from the two countries, were welcomed at Phuket International Airport with much fanfare, led by a delegation of officials and leading tourism figures.

tourismeconomicsChinese
By The Phuket News

[Nabby]

With all the Russians and Chinese abounding, Phuket should be absolutely lovely. 

[Mavideol]

7-11 should stock up on fast noddles then ....LOL

[BarraMarra]

Racist what about Western tourists getting the same free visas hassle free ?

 

[Sydebolle]

Pictoral input of quality tourism by the red brethren from the North ????

Happy days are here again ...... pictures from public domain of Chinese beaches - go figure how that will "beautify" Phuket and "invite" quality tourists from faraway lands ???? 

[phetphet]

And the title of the thread above it:

 

 

Phuket tops list as World’s Most Overcrowded tourist destination

 

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The renowned resort island of Phuket is preparing for an influx of Chinese tourists as China gears up for Golden Week starting this weekend and the continuation of the visa-free scheme for Chinese nationals. The surge in tourists is expected to start towards the end of the week.

Best place for them, about 700 kilometres from me.