Panicking over the steady loss of Chinese tourists, Pattaya officials plan to produce a new tourism-promotion video to keep their golden geese flying to the city.
Thailand has been living on Chinese tourism for the past four years, with – at one point – mainlanders accounting for one in every three international visitors to the country.
But July’s twin boat sinkings that killed 57 Chinese in Phuket, followed by several high-profile social media scandals showing Thais taking advantage of, or abusing Chinese citizens, have put a serious dent in arrival figures.
Despite statistics showing that Chinese tourists contribute little to local economies and spend less than western and Russian visitors, Thai tourism officials are desperate to keep their stats up, including Tourism Authority of Thailand Pattaya office executives.
TAT Pattaya chief Pinnart Charoenpol met with Deputy Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, business leaders and former city administrators Oct. 24 to plot how to reignite Chinese interest in Pattaya after a disappointing October Chinese holiday week.
A new video was suggested to gain these Chinese public’s trust and show Pattaya is a warm, safe place with delicious food and exciting activities during the day and at night.
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