Chinese Tourists Reach Top Of Visitor List In Thailand

[webfact]

TOURISM

Chinese tourists reach top of visitor list in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- The number of Chinese nationals visiting Thailandsurged during the first half of the year, exceeding Malaysians forthe first time, tourism officials said Wednesday.

Between January and June, some 1,124,234 Chinese tourists visitedthe kingdom, up 28.9 per cent from the same period last year, theTourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said.

Altogether some 10.5 million tourists visited during the firsthalf of 2012, up 7.6 per cent year-on-year.

"The most important contributor to this growth was arrivals fromChina which, for the first time, crossed the 1 million arrivals markin the six-moth period," TAT said.

Tourists from neighbouring Malaysia have traditionally beenThailand’s leading market. But Malaysian arrivals were down 8.5 percent in the first six months of the year at 1,115,721.

In the same period, the number of Russian tourists reached634,312, up 12.2 per cent, British tourists numbered 433,989, up 1.5per cent, and Germans 357,472, up 9.7 per cent.

Experts had expressed concern that tourism, a significant sourceof foreign revenue, could be affected by political instability in2010 and floods in 2011.

-- The Nation 2012-07-18

[ratcatcher]

That's wonderful news for T.A.T. However the Chinese usually like to travel in large packs on large buses, get escorted around tourist traps by a guide holding up a silly flag, then all head back to their Chinese owned hotel for munchies then head off to a group entertainment for the evening.

Not many independent Chinese backpackers using the trains and eating kwaiteow at small restaurants.

But the numbers are what counts I believe.

Bring 'em on. Same goes for the Koreans etc.

[gohmer]

I'm curious as to what the average daily expenditures per Chinese tourist are, compared to other nationalities like Germans or Americans. I know that many of the small businesses and employees in Thailand get a good share of their income from the tips, which are mostly associated with American Tourists. My Thai wife has a hair salon and says that only Americans ever tip her. This contributes greatly to her overal income. My experience is that the Chinese are not know for tipping or their generosity. So, these numbers might not have quite the importance that is being assume in the article. The net profitability of masses of small spending tourists is dramatically lower than a much small number of big spenders. The impact of the masses has indirect costs associated with it like the huge increase in VIP buses screaming down the roads carrying low spenders but risking the lives of everyone in their way. Increased road damage, increased vehicle pollution, increased degradation of parks and nature areas, etc with very low returns in comparison.

Edited July 18, 2012 by gohmer

[clockman]

If i wanted to be cynical? Thailand could be a colony of China?

[Gweiloman]

That's wonderful news for T.A.T. However the Chinese usually like to travel in large packs on large buses, get escorted around tourist traps by a guide holding up a silly flag, then all head back to their Chinese owned hotel for munchies then head off to a group entertainment for the evening.

Not many independent Chinese backpackers using the trains and eating kwaiteow at small restaurants.

But the numbers are what counts I believe.

Bring 'em on. Same goes for the Koreans etc.

Does that not qualify them as tourists?

[Semper]

If i wanted to be cynical? Thailand could be a colony of China?

I thought it was already.

[Tanaka]

In the second half of 2011, the arriving number of tourists sank by some 2,7 % or 356.000 compared to the first half. Feel free to figure out why.

[thaimat]

Ah, these must be the big spending "Quality Tourists" that TAT is targeting. Well done, Thailand tourism is saved.

[Tatsujin]

What a load of cr@p . . . TAT make those figures up every year . . . always showing that Tourism is doing great and not suffering from any of the bullshit that goes on here . . . however, the people that actually run the resorts, hotels, bars etc might disagree with their occupancy rates being lower than ever.

[missionrat]

I'm curious as to what the average daily expenditures per Chinese tourist are, compared to other nationalities like Germans or Americans. I know that many of the small businesses and employees in Thailand get a good share of their income from the tips, which are mostly associated with American Tourists. My Thai wife has a hair salon and says that only Americans ever tip her. This contributes greatly to her overal income. My experience is that the Chinese are not know for tipping or their generosity. So, these numbers might not have quite the importance that is being assume in the article. The net profitability of masses of small spending tourists is dramatically lower than a much small number of big spenders. The impact of the masses has indirect costs associated with it like the huge increase in VIP buses screaming down the roads carrying low spenders but risking the lives of everyone in their way. Increased road damage, increased vehicle pollution, increased degradation of parks and nature areas, etc with very low returns in comparison.

Is this a joke? Nobody tips in Thailand and service employees and small business own most certainly do NOT survive off of tips. That's ridiculous. Your comment about the Chinese is equally superficial. You seem to think that Chinese riding VIP buses causes more road damage than westerners riding VIp buses or minivans. Your comment is so patently racist and laced with western superiority that it's quite frankly nauseating. Gt over yourself. The Chinese have finally a middl class with money and now they spend it traveling just like white western tourists do. It's a benefit to the Thai tourist industry.

[Gweiloman]

China has become one of the world's biggest tourist market, both in terms of numbers and spending. This is in spite of many visa restrictions, especially European countries where the bureaucrats are blind and ignorant of the impact of foreign revenue. Walk into any branded store in Asia / Europe and the majority of the big spenders are Chinese nationals. They may not tip a lot but they sure as hell spend a lot of money

[Tatsujin]

I'm curious as to what the average daily expenditures per Chinese tourist are, compared to other nationalities like Germans or Americans. I know that many of the small businesses and employees in Thailand get a good share of their income from the tips, which are mostly associated with American Tourists. My Thai wife has a hair salon and says that only Americans ever tip her. This contributes greatly to her overal income. My experience is that the Chinese are not know for tipping or their generosity. So, these numbers might not have quite the importance that is being assume in the article. The net profitability of masses of small spending tourists is dramatically lower than a much small number of big spenders. The impact of the masses has indirect costs associated with it like the huge increase in VIP buses screaming down the roads carrying low spenders but risking the lives of everyone in their way. Increased road damage, increased vehicle pollution, increased degradation of parks and nature areas, etc with very low returns in comparison.

Wow . . . you think the Thai's ever think that far ahead and consider spending power/habits? It's all about the NUMBERS (which they make up anyway) lol

[Gweiloman]

In the second half of 2011, the arriving number of tourists sank by some 2,7 % or 356.000 compared to the first half. Feel free to figure out why.

There were floods in Thailand. When there were riots and demonstrations in Greece, tourist arrivals also fell. When there were earthquakes in Italy, tourist arrivals also fell. When an ex army guy in the Phillipines hijacked a tour bus, tourist arrivals also fell. Common sense, I would think

[webfact]

China, Malaysia cross 1-million arrivals mark in first half of 2012

BANGKOK, 18 July 2012 (NNT) – According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Thai tourism industry continued its strong performance in the first six months of 2012, with total arrivals of 10.5 million, up 7.6% from the same period last year.

The TAT said the most important contributor to this growth was arrivals from China which, for the first time, crossed the one-million mark during the six-month period to record a total of 1.12 million, up by 29% over January-June 2011. Meanwhile, 1.11 million Malaysians also visited Thailand in the first half of this year.

Russians, Japanese and Koreans are among the top five visitors after Chinese and Malaysians.

When compared by region, East Asian tourists top the list of travelers to Thailand in the first half at 5.5 million, followed by tourists from Europe, the Americas, South Asia, Oceania, Middle East, and Africa.

For 2012, the TAT has set a target of 20.5 million total international visitors.

-- NNT 2012-07-18

[asanee]

I'm curious as to what the average daily expenditures per Chinese tourist are, compared to other nationalities like Germans or Americans.

IF the same applies to them as for here in Europe/you wil be quite surprised/and maybe understand why TAT etc is so keen to have them double-triple´the amount of daily spending. This is due to

a.they stay much shorter

b.they go after spending sprees re brand labels they cannot get at home or at inflated prices

c.small % of lower spending bekpekkers and mostly tourgroups/this also is far easier to get a visa for them, as they also have to apply in China themselves with their own govmt. for permit to leave

Amsterdams diamond stores, Paris fashion stores, London Harrods etc. are overly happy to receive them, as are casino´s./replacing the former Arabs with spending power.

The silly idea they only stay at their own places is/ well, quite silly and uninformed, as so often on this board.

[CP3]

You will be surprised those Chinese sure can spend..Doubt alot of westerners buy at airport. Only like Asian and middle east ppl buy most of the time

[h90]

I'm curious as to what the average daily expenditures per Chinese tourist are, compared to other nationalities like Germans or Americans. I know that many of the small businesses and employees in Thailand get a good share of their income from the tips, which are mostly associated with American Tourists. My Thai wife has a hair salon and says that only Americans ever tip her. This contributes greatly to her overal income. My experience is that the Chinese are not know for tipping or their generosity. So, these numbers might not have quite the importance that is being assume in the article. The net profitability of masses of small spending tourists is dramatically lower than a much small number of big spenders. The impact of the masses has indirect costs associated with it like the huge increase in VIP buses screaming down the roads carrying low spenders but risking the lives of everyone in their way. Increased road damage, increased vehicle pollution, increased degradation of parks and nature areas, etc with very low returns in comparison.

Is this a joke? Nobody tips in Thailand and service employees and small business own most certainly do NOT survive off of tips. That's ridiculous. Your comment about the Chinese is equally superficial. You seem to think that Chinese riding VIP buses causes more road damage than westerners riding VIp buses or minivans. Your comment is so patently racist and laced with western superiority that it's quite frankly nauseating. Gt over yourself. The Chinese have finally a middl class with money and now they spend it traveling just like white western tourists do. It's a benefit to the Thai tourist industry.

Actually my wife always tips. The restaurant, the Taxi, the hairdresser.....and she is Thai.....All the farangs I know also tip

[JurgenG]

I'm curious as to what the average daily expenditures per Chinese tourist are, compared to other nationalities like Germans or Americans.

IF the same applies to them as for here in Europe/you wil be quite surprised/and maybe understand why TAT etc is so keen to have them double-triple´the amount of daily spending. This is due to

a.they stay much shorter

b.they go after spending sprees re brand labels they cannot get at home or at inflated prices

c.small % of lower spending bekpekkers and mostly tourgroups/this also is far easier to get a visa for them, as they also have to apply in China themselves with their own govmt. for permit to leave

Amsterdams diamond stores, Paris fashion stores, London Harrods etc. are overly happy to receive them, as are casino´s./replacing the former Arabs with spending power.

The silly idea they only stay at their own places is/ well, quite silly and uninformed, as so often on this board.

In Hong Kong you can read everyday in the newspaper the complains of the local customers. Sales people just care about mainland Chinese customers, they are now the real big spenders.

[apetley]

I left and then reentered Thailand 5 times last year.

I would be interested to know if TAT counted me as being 5 tourists.

Sent from my GT-I9003 using Thaivisa Connect App

[h90]

What a load of cr@p . . . TAT make those figures up every year . . . always showing that Tourism is doing great and not suffering from any of the bullshit that goes on here . . . however, the people that actually run the resorts, hotels, bars etc might disagree with their occupancy rates being lower than ever.

Well also they build hotels like crazy. If you increase the amount of rooms every year at a higher percentage than new tourists come, it will still feel like less are coming

[h90]

I left and then reentered Thailand 5 times last year.

I would be interested to know if TAT counted me as being 5 tourists.

Sent from my GT-I9003 using Thaivisa Connect App

Or the Visa runs?

[impulse]

The Chinese have finally a middle class with money and now they spend it traveling just like white western tourists do. It's a benefit to the Thai tourist industry.

Yes, and $250 per month in income puts you into their "middle class".

The ones you see traveling for leisure are generally the moneyed class, not the masses they claim are now "middle class".

I'm not claiming they aren't valued tourists because they can drop a ton of coin on stuff they're planning to resell at a profit once they get back home.... (Or stash away for a rainy day when they can't move cash around without revealing where it came from)

I used to read with amusement the holiday travel statistics published in China where 300 million folks would travel back home on the national holidays pumping a whopping 3 billion dollars into the domestic economy. (Pull out the calculator if you didn't get it) Of course, those aren't the folks you see traveling internationally.

BTW- a disclosure: I spent over 10 years in China so I am a little jaded and my portrayals are a caricature of folks I know back there.

Edited July 18, 2012 by impulse

[Pseudolus]

Chinese mainlanders are big shoppers. Their days will be in the shopping malls, and the evenings in the sit down entertainment venues. Having a middle class Chinese family will bring in more dough than 4 sex tourists who drink beer all day and shag hookers all night; the places the Chinese spend their cash will pay some taxes.

[pomchop]

I'm curious as to what the average daily expenditures per Chinese tourist are, compared to other nationalities like Germans or Americans. I know that many of the small businesses and employees in Thailand get a good share of their income from the tips, which are mostly associated with American Tourists. My Thai wife has a hair salon and says that only Americans ever tip her. This contributes greatly to her overal income. My experience is that the Chinese are not know for tipping or their generosity. So, these numbers might not have quite the importance that is being assume in the article. The net profitability of masses of small spending tourists is dramatically lower than a much small number of big spenders. The impact of the masses has indirect costs associated with it like the huge increase in VIP buses screaming down the roads carrying low spenders but risking the lives of everyone in their way. Increased road damage, increased vehicle pollution, increased degradation of parks and nature areas, etc with very low returns in comparison.

chinese numbers to hawaii are also way way up and the chinese are now spending more per person per day than the japanese or ANYONE....of course the chinese who come to hawaii are likely some very wealthy people....but that is how it first started when the japanese tourists first starting coming to hawaii...and then overtime the numbers go way way up and hawaii became a mass market destintation for not so rich japanese....and slowly the japanese tourists became much more independent rather than all coming in groups and being herded about....i suspect the pattern will be repeated with the chinese...

[AngryParent]

I'm curious as to what the average daily expenditures per Chinese tourist are, compared to other nationalities like Germans or Americans.

IF the same applies to them as for here in Europe/you wil be quite surprised/and maybe understand why TAT etc is so keen to have them double-triple´the amount of daily spending. This is due to

a.they stay much shorter

b.they go after spending sprees re brand labels they cannot get at home or at inflated prices

c.small % of lower spending bekpekkers and mostly tourgroups/this also is far easier to get a visa for them, as they also have to apply in China themselves with their own govmt. for permit to leave

Amsterdams diamond stores, Paris fashion stores, London Harrods etc. are overly happy to receive them, as are casino´s./replacing the former Arabs with spending power.

The silly idea they only stay at their own places is/ well, quite silly and uninformed, as so often on this board.

You are wrong as your assumption of them being the same as those that go to Europe is wrong.

The ones that come here come on cheap flights, and live and travel in budget groups.

The ones that go to Europe buy 30,000 Baht plane tickets and walk around with the latest digital SLR cameras with expensive lenses and kits and wear the designer labels. The ones that come here spend a couple of thousand on travel and carry a cheap and small camera spend a little.

Edited July 18, 2012 by AngryParent

[bangkok101]

ok, so, "Between January and June, some 1,124,234 Chinese tourists..." visited Thailand. Thats about 6,244 Chinese arriving each and every day for the past six months?? Boe-shit...who can believe that load of <deleted>!

[Yunla]

A lot of the visitors are possibly coming here to visit family members. Thailand has eight million Thai Chinese, that is 12% of the Thai population. I would expect a lot of people categorised as tourist visitors are on short-term breaks to visit extended family. Also as they say 'Beijing-by-the-sea', it makes sense for Chinese to holiday here when it is a tropical paradise on their own doorstep.

All money coming into Thailand is a good thing and rising tourist figures from any nation is good news. The important thing is that the money is invested in improving Thailand's infrastructure and protecting its incredible natural heritage. The government needs to stop taking tourist income for granted, and start spending it wisely on long term projects to benefit Thailand.

[AngryParent]

ok, so, "Between January and June, some 1,124,234 Chinese tourists..." visited Thailand. Thats about 6,244 Chinese arriving each and every day for the past six months?? Boe-shit...who can believe that load of <deleted>!

That is an interesting calculation and probably equates to about 15-20 planes per day from China. It would be interesting to see if there are that many planes per day....

[Heng]

Easier to convert Chinese tourists into citizens as well. Win win.

[Nisa]

That's wonderful news for T.A.T. However the Chinese usually like to travel in large packs on large buses, get escorted around tourist traps by a guide holding up a silly flag, then all head back to their Chinese owned hotel for munchies then head off to a group entertainment for the evening.

Not many independent Chinese backpackers using the trains and eating kwaiteow at small restaurants.

But the numbers are what counts I believe.

Bring 'em on. Same goes for the Koreans etc.

What they are not using the state run railways contributing their $5 or $10 for an all day ride?

I am sure TAT has read your post and is trying to figure out how to get the Chinese Tourists on the trains for a day to help get their daily spending, which averages $147 a day, more in line with German tourists who spend an average of $115 a day or a UK tourist at $122.