Chinese tourists still prefer Thailand despite visa exemptions

[webfact]

 

Despite increasing competition from countries offering visa exemptions to Chinese tourists, Thailand’s tourism industry remains secure due to its dominant market share and increased expenditure per trip, according to the country’s Tourism and Sports Ministry.

 

Countries such as Kazakhstan, Maldives and Sri Lanka have started offering visa exemptions for Chinese tourists, yet Thailand continues to be the preferred destination, said Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, the Tourism and Sports Minister.

 

Thailand’s appeal lies in its varied tourism options, which include nature, historical sites and beaches. Despite a slower-than-anticipated travel demand, the visa-free policy is anticipated to generate momentum into the following year with growing flight traffic. The ministry intends to focus on establishing new flights connecting second-tier Chinese cities with Thailand’s regional airports, including Krabi, Chiang Mai and Phuket.

 

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), revealed that despite a downgraded target of four million Chinese tourist arrivals this year, expenditure per trip has increased from levels seen before the pandemic, reaching between 58,000 and 60,000 baht. One of the significant challenges in the Chinese market is the domestic travel incentives offered by Beijing to stimulate its sluggish economy.

 

by Alex Morgan

Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul/Bangkok Post

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-11-24

 

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[mberbae]

In another thread this morning, it stated that Chinese Airlines have cut

their flights to Thailand due to lack of passengers.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Despite increasing competition from countries offering visa exemptions to Chinese tourists, Thailand’s tourism industry remains secure due to its dominant market share and increased expenditure per trip, according to the country’s Tourism and Sports Ministry.

Yep, that's why Chinese tourists are coming in less numbers?

Thailand has so much to offer, 

[Mavideol]

57 minutes ago, mberbae said:

In another thread this morning, it stated that Chinese Airlines have cut

their flights to Thailand due to lack of passengers.

TAT it's well know for it's daily contradictions, fake estimates and false hopes 555

[mania2301]

Face saving news

[mikeymike100]

51 minutes ago, mania2301 said:

Face saving news

Quite so, they do it all the time, but is does the exact opposite, makes them look like idiots?

[Fairynuff]

Make your bloody minds up, either they’re coming or they’re not, but it can’t be both.

[kinyara]

A rather bizarre take on the massive shortfall in Chinese tourists - we still get more than countries like Kazakhstan, Maldives and Sri Lanka. I'd hazard a guess those countries aren't suffering from the impact of a 75% drop in their largest tourist market.

[sambum]

From the headlines on Thu 23 November:-

"Chinese airlines cancel flights to Thailand as demand drops

The Thai PM is defending the temporary visa waiver recently introduced for Chinese tourists, despite several airlines cancelling slots due to low demand."

 

From the headlines on Fri 24 Niovember:- 

"Despite increasing competition from countries offering visa exemptions to Chinese tourists, Thailand’s tourism industry remains secure due to its dominant market share and increased expenditure per trip, according to the country’s Tourism and Sports Ministry."

 

Hub of "U Turns"?

 

 

 

 

Edited November 24, 2023 by sambum

[VBF]

2 hours ago, Fairynuff said:

Make your bloody minds up, either they’re coming or they’re not, but it can’t be both.

So you're saying that TAT don't know if they're coming or going?

Sounds about right....... 😆

 

And comparing holiday in Thailand with one in Kazakhstan?  Now let me see.......   🙄

[Sydebolle]

14 hours ago, mberbae said:

In another thread this morning, it stated that Chinese Airlines have cut

their flights to Thailand due to lack of passengers.

You donn undastaan, Misateh, this diffellent Chinese ;-) 

[khaowong1]

Wait, they are passing up Kazakhstan for Thailand, say it isn't so.  (sarcasm).. 

[Wiggy]

TAT is an apt acronym, as that’s what Thailand has become. 

[saltybloo]

So.... Chinese people do spend money IN Thailand. That, IF true, must have put a few peoples noses out of joint. 🤔 

[Grusa]

"TAT"

 

The acronym says it all.