Visa Reforms Boost Thai Tourism, Chinese Visitors Surge 26%

[webfact]

File photo courtesy: Kasikorn Research Center

 

Thailand's tourism industry has remarkably rebounded, bolstered by easing visa regulations and targeted policies to attract Chinese travellers, marking a significant step towards recovering its pre-pandemic vibrancy.

 

Last year, the country welcomed approximately 35.5 million tourists, a notable rise from 28.2 million in 2023. This surge, catalysed by visa waivers for Chinese visitors, significantly contributed to the economy, generating about 1.67 trillion Thai Baht (around £38 billion), reflecting a 34% increase in revenue compared to the previous year.

 

While these figures didn't quite meet the Ministry of Tourism and Sports' target of 36.7 million tourists, they closely matched the Bank of Thailand's expectations of 36 million arrivals.

 

This upswing is a promising indicator as Thailand inches closer to its 2019 peak when it hosted nearly 40 million tourists who injected around £48 billion into the nation’s coffers.

 

The Thai government remains optimistic, projecting a record-breaking 40 million arrivals in the current year. Key strategies include relaxing visa regulations for various countries, extending stay durations, and leveraging cultural touchstone - such as the eagerly anticipated third season of "The White Lotus," which will highlight Thailand's luxury hotels.

Furthermore, the recent legalisation of same-sex marriage adds Thailand to a shortlist of welcoming destinations for LGBTQ travellers, potentially attracting a diverse and inclusive audience.

 

Recovering from its pandemic-induced slump, China has reclaimed its position as the leading source of tourists to Thailand. Last year, 6.7 million Chinese visitors made their way to the Land of Smiles, marking a 60% return to their pre-pandemic high of 11.1 million in 2019. Other significant visitor groups hailed from Malaysia and India, each contributing robustly to the tourism mix.

 

Spearheaded by former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, initiatives like the complimentary visa programme for Chinese and Indian tourists were crucial in driving the tourism spike. Moreover, visitors from Europe, India, and Russia have already surpassed pre-COVID levels, according to official data sources.

 

Despite the impressive recovery, the World Bank cautions that while tourist numbers might surpass pre-pandemic figures by 2025, the spend per tourist remains less than before.

 

This suggests potential areas for growth within the sector, where the focus could shift towards not only increasing the number of visitors but also enhancing their spending experiences.

 

As Thailand embraces this revival, both the private and public sectors will need to collaborate closely to sustain this momentum, ensuring that the tourism industry continues to be a vital pillar of the Thai economy, reported South China Morning Post.

 

-- 2025-01-07

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Last year, the country welcomed approximately 35.5 million tourists, a notable rise from 28.2 million in 2023. This surge, catalysed by visa waivers for Chinese visitors, significantly contributed to the economy, generating about 1.67 trillion Thai Baht (around £38 billion)

 

So each tourist contributed more then one billion GBP?

Interesting.

 

We are not seeing many Chinese tourists these days where I am on Samui.

Lots more from the Middle East, India and the USA.

[John Drake]

1 hour ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

So each tourist contributed more then one billion GBP?

Interesting.

 

We are not seeing many Chinese tourists these days where I am on Samui.

Lots more from the Middle East, India and the USA.

 

Thailand only cares about its exports to the US, not its tourists.

[KireB]

1 hour ago, John Drake said:

 

Thailand only cares about its exports to the US, not its tourists.

And the moon is made of cheese.

[johnnybangkok]

2 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

So each tourist contributed more then one billion GBP?

Interesting.

 

 

Your arithmatic is a bit off. GBP 38 billion divided by 35 million is approx. GBP 1,000.

[Hakuna Matata]

[StayinThailand2much]

3 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

We are not seeing many Chinese tourists these days where I am on Samui.

 

Many in Bangkok, shopping for cheap food and snacks at Big C... 😆 

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand's tourism industry has remarkably rebounded, bolstered by easing visa regulations and targeted policies to attract Chinese travellers, marking a significant step towards recovering its pre-pandemic vibrancy.

Excellent work, now focus on your infrastructure and labour opportunities.

[trainman34014]

Seems to me that a lot of the Chinese have come to live here and not just as Tourists.   Everywhere we go around Chiang Mai these days it's Chinese jabbering away around us, normally loudly, even in the Banks !

[NoDisplayName]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

the country welcomed approximately 35.5 million tourists, a notable rise from 28.2 million in 2023. This surge, catalysed by visa waivers for Chinese visitors, significantly contributed to the economy, generating about 1.67 trillion

 

7 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

So each tourist contributed more then one billion GBP?

Interesting.

 

Good on Thailand for inviting more Chinese tourists.

 

Chinese are really good at that math thingie!

[soalbundy]

Well, that's ermmmm,........ that's something to look forward to.

[realfunster]

20 hours ago, trainman34014 said:

Seems to me that a lot of the Chinese have come to live here and not just as Tourists.   Everywhere we go around Chiang Mai these days it's Chinese jabbering away around us, normally loudly, even in the Banks !

 

Agreed - living in a non-touristy Bangkok suburb I have also noticed an increase in numbers of Chinese, presumably here as residents.

[DonniePeverley]

MASS CHEAP TOURISM 

 

gdp per person of China is still only $12,000 - which is very low. 

 

Stating the obvious here, but it's alot easier for Chinese to mingle in and work here without attracting suspicions like westerners. 

 

Whilst it has a high wealthy number too, most of those are going to Europe. 

 

 

[JoeyMac]

There were no visa reforms. 

 

They basically just ordered all visas to be abandoned and doors open to anyone. 

 

Absolutely scandalous. I give it a year before there is uproar from locals.