Chinese Tourist Dip Sparks Concern Amid Trade Tensions

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of China Daily

 

Chinese tourists are giving Thailand a miss, as figures show a 1.2% drop in visits during the first week of April. This comes as a result of escalating global trade wars and tariffs, affecting inbound numbers from China.

 

Meanwhile, Malaysia leapfrogged to the top spot with 92,262 arrivals—a buoyant 12.8% increase, all whilst a total of 10 million visitors have graced Thai soil so far this year, marking a modest 1.79% rise from the previous year.

 

In response, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) disclosed its strategic recalibration efforts, faced with this slight decline.

 

TAT head honcho, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, indicated the body might pivot marketing efforts toward fresh target markets, promising a mix of innovative and nostalgic promotions.

 

 

 

With US President Trump's tariffs stirring the pot, influencing global economies, TAT aims to captivate Chinese tourists from lesser-known cities—attracting new adventurers and fostering solo travel appeal.

 

Remaining undeterred, the TAT is steadfast in its pursuit of 7.3 million Chinese tourists this year. Concurrently, as the trade squabbles gain pantomime momentum, they're tightening focus on sporadic yet alluring markets such as Italy, Spain, the UK, and beyond.

 

Russia and India also figure prominently in this bold tourism tapestry, with visitor forecasts reaching two million and up to 2.5 million, respectively.

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra participated in a rendezvous at the TAT's base to marshal the state's famed Songkran celebrations.

 

Amidst the shifting tourist landscape, Thailand stands firm, flaunting itself as an alluring value-for-money haven, filled with exhilarating experiences and quintessential hospitality.

 

Based on a story by Bangkok Post
 

-- 2025-04-10

 

 

[flyingtlger]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

With US President Trump's tariffs stirring the pot

[StayinThailand2much]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Chinese tourists are giving Thailand a miss, as figures show a 1.2% drop in visits during the first week of April. This comes as a result of escalating global trade wars and tariffs, affecting inbound numbers from China.

 

Why?? Do Chinese tourists have to pay U.S. customs duties in Thailand for 'importing themselves'?? 😳 

 

And why are they instead flocking to Japan, despite of these?

[newbee2022]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of China Daily

 

Chinese tourists are giving Thailand a miss, as figures show a 1.2% drop in visits during the first week of April. This comes as a result of escalating global trade wars and tariffs, affecting inbound numbers from China.

 

Meanwhile, Malaysia leapfrogged to the top spot with 92,262 arrivals—a buoyant 12.8% increase, all whilst a total of 10 million visitors have graced Thai soil so far this year, marking a modest 1.79% rise from the previous year.

 

In response, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) disclosed its strategic recalibration efforts, faced with this slight decline.

 

TAT head honcho, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, indicated the body might pivot marketing efforts toward fresh target markets, promising a mix of innovative and nostalgic promotions.

 

 

 

With US President Trump's tariffs stirring the pot, influencing global economies, TAT aims to captivate Chinese tourists from lesser-known cities—attracting new adventurers and fostering solo travel appeal.

 

Remaining undeterred, the TAT is steadfast in its pursuit of 7.3 million Chinese tourists this year. Concurrently, as the trade squabbles gain pantomime momentum, they're tightening focus on sporadic yet alluring markets such as Italy, Spain, the UK, and beyond.

 

Russia and India also figure prominently in this bold tourism tapestry, with visitor forecasts reaching two million and up to 2.5 million, respectively.

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra participated in a rendezvous at the TAT's base to marshal the state's famed Songkran celebrations.

 

Amidst the shifting tourist landscape, Thailand stands firm, flaunting itself as an alluring value-for-money haven, filled with exhilarating experiences and quintessential hospitality.

 

Based on a story by Bangkok Post
 

-- 2025-04-10

 

 

Improve safety and keep riffraff out...and quality tourists will come

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Why?? Do Chinese tourists have to pay U.S. customs duties in Thailand for 'importing themselves'?? 😳 

 

And why are they instead flocking to Japan, despite of these?

Many Chinese tourists have businesses back home that are going to go pop... 

Holidays are the least of their worries at the moment

[Snackbar]

Spooked by a spectrum of concerns 

[norsurin]

Thailand want admit that the tourism dropping alot.Safety concern and prices make the tourists to go to other countries.I was in a bar in sukumvit and they asked for 220 baht for a small Heineken.Thats more then i pay in my country.Food is still cheaper.Sometimes i just buy a meal from streetwendors.Tasty and cheap food.

Its a big pricegap between ex Bangkok/hua-hin and Phuket.When I visit esan i normally go to the local market and buy food.Anyway i was shocked when the price for pork chops was almost double the price in Europe.

When i traveling from Bangkok i use taxi and have the driver to wait for me a day or two in esan.Thats is not expensive and i feel safer.I use the driver to take me around and we stop and have fun some places.Of course i buy food for him and let him stay in a resort or at a hotel.I normally use the same driver.

[WHansen]

2 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Improve safety and keep riffraff out...and quality tourists will come

Quality chinese tourists 555

[harada]

Here’s a thought how about looking after the backpackers  and retirees and stop dreaming about the Chinese returning, a few baht in the pocket is better than no baht in the pocket. 😴

[jcmj]

Once again they focus on the wrong group and will get what they ask for and a lot more problems. They need just open their eyes and ears a bit more and see what has happened in the last few months. 

[Woke to Sounds]

TAT ought to redouble its efforts to bring in Chinese tourist police from China, to make Chinese travelers feel safer.

[JimHuaHin]

If Thailand is not safe, then why come?  Thailand seems "full" of Chinese criminals - just see today's report of 2 Chinese nationals stealing from fellow passengers on a flight from Macau.  Then there are all the Chinese scam and kidnapping gangs in Thailand, which have received wide publicity in the Chinese media.

 

Make Thailand Again for Tourists - but that is a pipe dream with law non-enforcement in Thailand.

[daveAustin]

A 1.2% drop? Stop the press! Hardly worth writing about. 120% drop would be more like it, and take the Russians with you. 😙