TAT To Attract Chinese Tourists As Beijing Reduces Travel Restrictions

After China eased travel restrictions, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is working hard to attract Chinese travelers.

Yesterday, Chuwit Sirivejkul, TAT’s executive director for East Asia, said that the agency has been promoting Thailand’s reopening to Chinese visitors to visit Thailand.

He added that China eased travel restrictions in 9 southern cities. These are Beijing, Chengdu, Dalian, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Xiamen would help Thailand attract Chinese visitors.

Many Chinese business owners and students were permitted to apply for visas to go overseas, according to Chuwit.

“Tourism Authority of Thailand’s offices in China have had meetings with the business community, educational organizations, and the chamber of commerce to attract Chinese tourists to Thailand”

Due to China’s policy of limiting the number of flights each week, airline rates from Thailand to China have increased from 2,000 yuan (10,000 baht) to 40,000-60,000 yuan. However, this means that Chinese visitors can stay longer in Thailand.

However, Chuwit advises travelers going to Thailand through Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong since the airline conducts 2,000 yuan-priced daily flights from Hong Kong to Thailand.

“Since May, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand jumped from 300 to 20,000,”

From January to May, more than 70% of the 36,851 Chinese travelers who visited Thailand were business people with an average stay of 2 months and spent 6,118 baht daily.

Chuwit is optimistic that if China further relaxes travel restrictions in October at least 500,000 Chinese travelers will visit Thailand this year.

Chuwit said that TAT offices in China want to attract 4 million visitors to Thailand in 2023 or 40% of the 11 million in 2019.

He noted that the TAT also seeks to target senior travelers, who account for 32% of all Chinese tourists visiting Thailand.

SOURCE: Nation Thailand

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