Thai visa-free scheme boosts Chinese tourism, domestic travel surges

[webfact]

 

The Thai government’s visa-free scheme for Chinese and Kazakh tourists is proving to be a success, according to the country’s Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Srettha Thavisin.

 

Running from September 25 to February 29, the scheme coincides with several significant Chinese holidays and forms part of the government’s Quick Win strategy to stimulate the economy.

 

Srettha, who shared his sentiments via the social media platform Twitter, expressed his delight at the positive response from Chinese tourists to the visa exemption. He anticipates that the best is yet to come, as Thailand continues to be a favourite destination for Chinese tourists. Srettha also highlighted the potential business benefits stemming from the influx of visitors.

 

Trip.com, China’s largest travel booking platform operator, provided data indicating that travel bookings from China to Thailand are now nearly 20 times higher compared to the same holiday period last year. Chinese tourists’ hotel reservations in Thailand have also skyrocketed by 6,220% year-on-year, reported Bangkok Post.

 

by Mitch Connor

Picture courtesy of Thiarath

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-10-02

 

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[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The Thai government’s visa-free scheme for Chinese and Kazakh tourists is proving to be a success, according to the country’s Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Srettha Thavisin.

Yeah okay.. we believe you.

[RichardColeman]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Chinese tourists’ hotel reservations in Thailand have also skyrocketed by 6,220% year-on-year

Going to call that one complete bull do-do

[Middle Aged Grouch]

Chinese spend almost no money to the profit of the Thais. When in Thailand, the chinese will mostly spend in Chinatown areas or with chinese merchants. They obtain specific information before they travel to Thailand and know exactly where to find their own kingsmen to deal with (shops, restaurants, or hotels belonging to groups who have big chinese investment in the stock exchange). Like it or not, that's how it goes.

 

The chinese with the big bucks rather spend in the designer shops of overrated and crime ridden Paris in France.

[BenStark]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Trip.com, China’s largest travel booking platform operator, provided data indicating that travel bookings from China to Thailand are now nearly 20 times higher compared to the same holiday period last year.

If I recall correctly, there were virtually no Chinese entries the same time last year, since there were no flights and Chinese were not allowed to leave the country, so not difficult to be 20 times higher

[Sydebolle]

Well, maybe streamline the official statements a little; yesterday you've written about all those Chinese who "opted" to stay at home during their golden week this year which would account to not having gotten near any expectations.