Thailand Adapts Tourism Strategy Amid Drop in Chinese Arrivals

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Holiday in Pattaya

 

Thailand's tourism sector is adjusting its strategies in response to a surprising decline in Chinese visitors, with a notable influx of Malaysian tourists helping to balance the scales. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) noted that between March 31 and April 6, Malaysia emerged as the top source of arrivals, with 92,262 visitors—a 12.8% increase. Conversely, Chinese arrivals dropped by 1.2% to 64,177 during the same period.

 

As of April 6, China remains the largest overall source of tourists for 2024, with 1.38 million arrivals. However, Malaysia is rapidly catching up, with 1.23 million visitors so far this year. Total international arrivals to Thailand have surpassed 10 million, reflecting a 1.79% year-on-year increase.

 

TAT chief Thapanee Kiatphaibool stated that the agency is evaluating the situation to refine its promotional strategies, potentially focusing on emerging markets. The slowdown in Chinese visitors is attributed to broader economic challenges, including global economic headwinds and US tariffs affecting China's economy.

 

 

 

Despite the current dip, TAT aims for 7.3 million Chinese tourists in 2024. Plans include reviving traditional marketing, promoting group tours from smaller Chinese cities, and encouraging independent travel through online platforms. Thapanee emphasized Thailand's appeal as a budget-friendly destination offering quality experiences.

 

In addition to focusing on Chinese tourists, TAT is exploring long-haul tourism growth, maintaining a visitor target of 1 million from the US, and increasing efforts in Italy and Spain. The UK, Germany, and Israel remain key markets, with Russia and India expected to contribute 2 million and up to 2.5 million visitors, respectively.

 

The TAT has prepared strategies to mitigate negative impacts anticipated in the latter half of the year. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra recently met with TAT officials to finalize plans for the upcoming Songkran holiday, aiming to maintain strong tourist numbers despite economic uncertainties, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-04-10

 

 

[DonniePeverley]

This is the strategy they will adopt .... ALLOW EVERYONE IN, NO RESTRICTIONS, PAY THEM TO VISIT, BEG THEM. THE TRAUMA FROM COVID AND NO TOURISTS IS REAL. ALLOW TOURISTS TO RUN RIFE WITH CRIMINAL ACTS BECAUSE THEY ARE TOURISTS. 

 

What they will not do - clean up tourism. Quality tourism - less is more. No one wants to share a beach with a thousand other people littering everywhere. An immediate return to visas for some nationalities. Return back to 30 day visas to stop criminal enterprises. A no nonsense approach from policing to protect tourists from Benidorm Brits and draft dodging Russians. Improve tourism standards, food, hotels by adopting international standard checks on. BAN HOSTELS - to stop cheap tourists. Ban criminal enterprises and scams targetting tourists. Install cameras in every taxi to stop the 'no meter'. 

[ukrules]

10 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

Ban criminal enterprises

 

Are you saying they should double down and make crime illegal?

 

[Negita43]

I bet long term stayers spend more per head that short term tourists so you should encourage the former and not TAX THEM

[NorthernRyland]

Seriously how many more tourists does Thailand need? 50 million, 60 million? They all go to the same locations which are already crowded  and barely even have any Thai people left so they become tourist ghettos. It's enough already if you ask me.

[BayArea]

Vietnam surpassed Thailand in attracting Chinese tourists in the first quarter of this year¹. Vietnam received 1.6 million Chinese visitors, while Thailand had 1.3 million¹. However, Thailand led Southeast Asia in attracting Chinese tourists in 2024 with 6.7 million arrivals, driven by visa privileges and promotional campaigns

 

I can Viet Nam taking the lead for the remainder of the year which would make many expats very happy in LOS. 😎

[DonniePeverley]

3 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

Seriously how many more tourists does Thailand need? 50 million, 60 million? They all go to the same locations which are already crowded  and barely even have any Thai people left so they become tourist ghettos. It's enough already if you ask me.

 

 

I firmly believe none of the politicians in charge ever holiday in Thailand. It's absolutely carnage in Phuket, Pattaya, and other zones. 

 

They could literally adopt an approach that pivots to quality tourism. Why do they always take the soft easy option and just let in the masses? This approach turns away so many people. 

 

 

[Maxbkkcm]

But now they will check bad apples with tm6 digital

[hotchilli]

14 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

Seriously how many more tourists does Thailand need? 50 million, 60 million? They all go to the same locations which are already crowded  and barely even have any Thai people left so they become tourist ghettos. It's enough already if you ask me.

TAT will endeavour to keep raising the tourist numbers to saturation point and beyond to bolster the GDP.

Thailands economic structure is failing, only the multimillionaire families are profitable.

Manufacturing has been decimated.

[jcmj]

Quality over Quantity. Weird concept for Thais, but it’s usually very successful. 

[DonniePeverley]

23 hours ago, BayArea said:

Vietnam surpassed Thailand in attracting Chinese tourists in the first quarter of this year¹. Vietnam received 1.6 million Chinese visitors, while Thailand had 1.3 million¹. However, Thailand led Southeast Asia in attracting Chinese tourists in 2024 with 6.7 million arrivals, driven by visa privileges and promotional campaigns

 

I can Viet Nam taking the lead for the remainder of the year which would make many expats very happy in LOS. 😎

 

 

Maybe Chinese tourists are sick of the violent crime from the Benidorm Brits, sex pest indian men, marijuana shops everywhere. 

 

Thailand will look to everything but the obvious. 

 

Vietnam still require Indians to get a visa and a hotel booking in their name  which weeds out the cheapos. 

[BayArea]

2 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

 

 

Maybe Chinese tourists are sick of the violent crime from the Benidorm Brits, sex pest indian men, marijuana shops everywhere. 

 

Thailand will look to everything but the obvious. 

 

Vietnam still require Indians to get a visa and a hotel booking in their name  which weeds out the cheapos. 

all truth!