China-Thailand Visa Waiver Sparks Surge in Tourism Interest

Chongqing - The revitalized outbound tourism sector experiences a significant upswing: On January 2, Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, declared a landmark decision for international travel. Commencing in March, China and Thailand will mutually implement a permanent visa exemption for their respective citizens.

Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, declared that commencing in March, China and Thailand will mutually implement a permanent visa exemption for their respective citizens. (Photo/Xinhua News Agency)

Merely an hour following the announcement, prominent online travel agencies such as Ctrip, Tongcheng Travel, and Mafengwo experienced a remarkable influx in inquiries for trips to Thailand.

On Mafengwo, the quest for "Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok)" witnessed a staggering 200% spike in search interest, while the searches for Thai islands and independent travel in Thailand saw rises of 166% and 137%, respectively. Similarly, Tongcheng Travel experienced a significant 158% escalation in search volume for Thailand excursions, in stark contrast to the previous day's figures. "The outbound travel market is on a brisk path to recovery, with Thailand emerging as a prime destination for Chinese tourists. The introduction of the permanent visa waiver policy is a beacon of optimism, promising to enhance travel and business interactions between China and Thailand," a Tongcheng Research Institute representative offered a detailed analysis.

Gazing down upon the vibrant cityscape of Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo/Visual Chongqing)

Data from Tongcheng Travel highlights that during the recent New Year's holiday, destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai ranked in the top ten for outbound travel, with Bangkok securing the top position. The Bangkok-Pattaya journey emerged as the most popular outbound travel route.

Ctrip noted a significant surge in interest in Thailand, with a more than 90% increase in searches within just an hour post-announcement. Flight searches from Shanghai to Bangkok and Beijing to Bangkok soared, recording an over 40% jump. On Trip.com's Thailand-focused site, searches related to China escalated by over 80%.

Chinese tourists sightseeing at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo/Xinhua News Agency)

Furthermore, Ctrip's data revealed a remarkable trend: as of January 1, reservations for trips to Thailand from January 2 to the Spring Festival have surged over tenfold compared to 2023. Bookings for travel from Thailand to mainland China increased substantially, up 779% from the previous year.

Prominently, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Harbin, Chengdu, Kunming, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Chongqing, and Changsha stand out as favored destinations among Thai tourists visiting China.

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar (Photo/Yang Shihan)

Qin Jing, General Manager of Public Affairs at Ctrip Group, highlighted the reciprocal significance of tourism between China and Thailand. "In 2023, Thailand ranked within the top ten nations for inbound tourism to China," she stated. During the recent New Year's holiday, Thailand was among the top three choices for Chinese tourists seeking outbound travel. The permanent visa waiver between the two countries is poised to transform cultural interactions positively and bolster the growth of the tourism sector. This policy is anticipated to simplify various activities, including business, exhibitions, and travel, enhancing mutual engagement, and is likely to catalyze considerable growth in China's inbound tourism market in 2024.

Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai (Photo/Yang Shihan)

Moreover, insights from Tongcheng Travel indicate that during the 2024 New Year's holiday, the top destinations for outbound travelers were Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Tokyo, Phuket, Seoul, Dubai, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, and Chiang Mai. Notably, Thailand claimed three of these popular spots. Among these, the 6-to-7-day Bangkok-Pattaya tour stood out as the most preferred option for group travel. With the extended 8-day Spring Festival holiday this year, Thailand is expected to continue as a highly sought-after destination for outbound travelers.