BANGKOK, Thailand – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is anticipating up to 183,000 Chinese visitors during this year’s Golden Week holiday, reaching 88% of pre-pandemic levels from 2019. The influx of tourists, expected between October 1-7, is projected to generate up to 5.1 billion baht in revenue, reflecting a 30% increase in daily arrivals compared to earlier this year.
The boost in numbers is attributed to improved flight capacity between Thailand and China, which has increased by 70% year-on-year. During the week-long holiday, 1,097 direct flights, offering nearly 200,000 seats, will connect 43 Chinese cities to six major Thai airports. Key contributors include Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu, with Shanghai alone accounting for 19% of total capacity.
The recovery has also been supported by Thailand’s visa exemption scheme for Chinese nationals, which led to a 122% rise in Chinese tourist arrivals year-on-year during the first seven months of 2024. Additional promotional efforts by TAT, including collaborations with Chinese online travel platforms and special deals for Chinese passport holders, have further spurred demand.
Despite competition from other destinations, the TAT noted that Thailand’s targeted campaigns and expanded flight availability have helped maintain its position as a preferred choice for Chinese tourists during the peak travel period. (NNT)
