Golden week: Chinese tourists to Thailand dip as baht bites

[snoop1130]

 

Chinese tourist numbers during the upcoming Golden Week holiday are anticipated to be lower than expected, influenced by a strong baht and China’s sluggish economy, which are limiting tourist spending. This trend is also prompting other international visitors to negotiate lower service prices.

 

Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, the Association of Chon Buri Tourism Federation President, highlighted concerns about the appreciating baht’s adverse effects on tourism. He noted that some travel agents are already seeking discounts from Thai operators, primarily because hotels charge in the local currency.

 

“In Pattaya, forward bookings for Chinese tourists during Golden Week, from October 1 to October 7, have not seen significant growth.”

 

Thanet observed that many tourists prefer last-minute bookings, and the number of tour groups has decreased.

 

Suksit Suvunditkul, president of the southern chapter of the Thai Hotels Association, mentioned that Golden Week in Phuket is not as busy as Chinese New Year, given that October is the island’s low season. Despite China being a major market for Phuket, bookings for the upcoming holiday have not surged significantly.

 

“Most hotels in Phuket cater to mixed markets, including domestic tourists, Asians, and long-haul travellers.”

 

 

 

 

Online travel platform Agoda reported a 137% year-on-year increase in international accommodation searches by Chinese travellers for Golden Week. However, despite Bangkok maintaining a top-five position, it was surpassed by Bali this year.

 

Chinese tourists

 

A source from a large inbound tour operator, who requested anonymity, noted that while the Chinese market during Golden Week is expected to improve from last year, it will not meet high expectations. The source cited China’s sluggish economy, including salary cuts for civil servants and a troubled real estate sector, as factors impacting travel budgets.

 

The source estimated that around 30,000 Chinese tourists would arrive daily in Thailand during the holiday, compared to 40,000 daily arrivals in 2019. Overall, the Chinese market this year is expected to bring in 7.5 million tourists, but their expenditure is predicted to remain flat.

 

The baht’s surge to a 19-month high against the US dollar and appreciation over other Asian currencies is another concern for operators. The strong baht may deter Chinese tourists, causing them to view Thailand as a less valuable destination and opt for alternatives like Japan, reported Bangkok Post.

 

“Tourists may see Thailand as a less valuable destination and opt for other destinations, such as Japan,” the source said.

 

The source urged the government to take proactive steps in boosting Chinese and other foreign markets, as the exchange rate and strong competition could impact the upcoming high season.

 

By Bright Choomanee

Picture courtesy of Wichan Charoenkiatpakul

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2024-09-26

 

[ozz1]

Probably more countries will follow most people come here for a lot of bang for your buck if it doesn't devalue exports and tourism will suffer a lot if tourists are choosing Vietnam over Thailand

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Chinese tourist numbers during the upcoming Golden Week holiday are anticipated to be lower than expected, influenced by a strong baht and China’s sluggish economy, which are limiting tourist spending. This trend is also prompting other international visitors to negotiate lower service prices.

It's all surges and dips.. one day to the next.... 

[thesetat2013]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The strong baht may deter Chinese tourists, causing them to view Thailand as a less valuable destination and opt for alternatives like Japan, reported Bangkok Post.

Are they serious? Chinese people hate Japanese people. they are taught as children to hate them. Let a Japanese tourist go to China and they will find the Chinese trying to hurt them. 

[mdr224]

Makes thailand a more attractive place to visit during that time then

[Chelseafan]

The strong baht may have something to do with it but I also think it's a case of Thailand not being as much of a trendy destination these days. Bali seems to be their preferred destination and as we know the Chinese travel in groups...l

 

 

[Karma80]

13 minutes ago, Chelseafan said:

The strong baht may have something to do with it but I also think it's a case of Thailand not being as much of a trendy destination these days. Bali seems to be their preferred destination and as we know the Chinese travel in groups...l

 

Totally. Chinese tourists are now the number one nationality travelling to Japan. https://statistics.jnto.go.jp/en/graph/

[Srikcir]

Could it be as much a cause really by all the recent "bad press" about alleged misbehavior and violence by foreign tourists and/or by Thais in response to foreign tourists in areas like Phuket and Pattaya?

I also thought that Thailand as a recent supporter of BRIC currency (Brazil, Russia, India, China) was expecting little currency volatility as compared to the USD used as international currency.

If indeed Chinese tourism is affected directly by the value of the baht, then Thailand being associated with BRIC would seem a mistake. I expect China will disagree with the idea that baht volatility is the cause for lower Chinese tourism in Thailand.

[newnative]

1 hour ago, Chelseafan said:

The strong baht may have something to do with it but I also think it's a case of Thailand not being as much of a trendy destination these days. Bali seems to be their preferred destination and as we know the Chinese travel in groups...l

 

 

    Actually, more than 60% of Chinese visitors to Thailand are traveling independently, and not in groups.  

[Dcheech]

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The source estimated that around 30,000 Chinese tourists would arrive daily in Thailand during the holiday, compared to 40,000 daily arrivals in 2019.

No matter how they spin it & what window dressing used, numbers have never made it back to pre flu from Wuhan province, days. Given continued economic problems in China no real expectation that it will this year or next. 

[Captor]

15 hours ago, ozz1 said:

Probably more countries will follow most people come here for a lot of bang for your buck if it doesn't devalue exports and tourism will suffer a lot if tourists are choosing Vietnam over Thailand

And then fewer long stay expats comes due to the new tax in addition.

[Will B Good]

 

 

 

Now who was it that came on a thread a few days ago saying no one in their right minds would consider changing their holiday plans because of the baht exchange rate......any takers???

 

 

 

Edited 3 hours ago by Will B Good

[MarkBR]

35 minutes ago, newnative said:

    Actually, more than 60% of Chinese visitors to Thailand are traveling independently, and not in groups.  

Agree, any of my ex-students who have travelled to Thailand have travelled as independent travellers, none have come in organised groups.

[Rolo89]

I brought a suitcase back from Vietnam just full of groceries. I have easily paid for the flight alone several times in savings for stables for a few months. Thailand has now missed out on taxing this income that was never bought into Thailand and the revenue from spending locally. Everytime someone from Europe visits there's a handful of things they bring with them that are far cheaper over there (even things made in Thailand and Asia). I imagine the increased cost of Thailand thesedays is putting off a lot of tourists from returning as there's so many other options with more value.

[bkk6060]

A Golden shower for Thailand.