Chinese new year holiday expected to boost Thailand’s tourism revenue

[webfact]

Anticipated to reach a staggering 34.4 billion baht, spending during the Chinese New Year holiday is set to surge, with foreign travellers, primarily from Chinese-speaking nations, contributing 28.4 billion baht. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) attributes this 29% year-on-year revenue growth, which spans from February 8 to 16, to the visa-free policy for Chinese and Taiwanese tourists.

 

TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool predicts a 34% rise in foreign visitors, numbering around 995,000, resulting in a 36% increase in revenue to 28.4 billion baht against the same period last year. Chinese arrivals are projected at 177,000, marking a 358% growth from 2023, which was just after the nation reopened its borders amidst restricted seat capacities and high airfares.

 

According to Thapanee, Chinese spending this year is likely to skyrocket by 366% to 6.2 billion baht.

 

Domestic Thai tourists are also expected to contribute to the economy, with an estimated 2 million trips during the festival, generating 6 billion baht in revenue, marking a growth of 10% and 6% respectively year-on-year.

 

The Tourism and Sports Ministry anticipates visitors from China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong to spend a combined 11 billion baht during the holiday, a rise of 157%, with 195,825 arrivals in place of the expanding airline seat capacity. Per person expenditure from these markets is projected to increase by 8% to 58,236 baht compared with 2023, a significant 25% increase from 2019, due to individual travellers opting for more expensive hotels.

 

by Alex Morgan

PHOTO: via Loation Times

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-22

 

- 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.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[daveAustin]

Why do the Chinese pile in here to celebrate their new year? Stay home among your own, guys. 

[bkk6060]

59 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

Why do the Chinese pile in here to celebrate their new year? Stay home among your own, guys. 

Exactly.  I leave here for Songkran, but Thais certainly don't.  Because, they mostly like their country.  I suspect deep down Chinese would rather celebrate elsewhere.

[positivevibes]

Send them back!

 

We don't want their lab grown flu viruses or their bad manners.

[NoDisplayName]

1 hour ago, daveAustin said:

Why do the Chinese pile in here to celebrate their new year? Stay home among your own, guys. 

 

Why do expats pile in here to find suitable mates?

Stay home among the blue-haired land whales, guys!

[ezzra]

I live in Pattaya near a Thai temple that many Chinese tourists come to pay homage and ask for good luck fro an by gone era

Thai prince and to get his attention and appease him they pay to set alight a bundle for fire crackers 7 days a week and

all day long, needless to say that this is a nuisance and annoyance beyond imagination but TIT...

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Why do the Chinese pile in here to celebrate their new year? Stay home among your own, guys. 

Firecrackers are cheaper here, made by unlicensed factories employing locals who don't know what they're doing... allegedly.

[NoDisplayName]

In case you're wondering:

Quote

....there were 3,012 colleges and universities, with over 40 million students enrolled in mainland China.... (wiki)

 

...The total number of full-time teachers in China's education institutions amounted to around 18.8 million...(statista)

Most people in China get 7-10 days holiday, plenty of time for a 2-hour flight to Thailand.

 

Teachers and students, however, get a glorious 5-6 weeks vacation, depending on the lunar patterns.

 

Sadly, this year, just over 4 weeks.

Quote

Winter vacation from Saturday, January 27 to Sunday, February 25, 2024