Thailand Prepares for Influx of Chinese Tourists During Labour Day Holiday
As Thailand anticipates a surge in Chinese tourism during the upcoming five-day Labour Day holiday in May, the industry remains cautious about the impacts of economic slowdowns and safety perceptions. Despite a 12% decline in Chinese arrivals during the first two months of the year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reports optimism for the holiday period.
Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, TAT deputy governor for international marketing in Asia and the South Pacific, highlighted that while the Chinese travel market has faced challenges—particularly with diminished flight capacity from smaller cities—there are signs of improving travel sentiment. Over 1 million Chinese tourists visited Thailand in January and February, indicating a year-on-year drop from 1.18 million.
The downturn was particularly pronounced in February, where the number of visitors fell by 45% compared to last year, partly due to the Chinese New Year holiday being observed in January this year.
With a careful eye on market trends, TAT’s operations in China are closely monitoring the situation. Pattaraanong expressed confidence that, barring unforeseen circumstances, Chinese tourist numbers should rebound during the Labour Day period, with many already making travel plans.
However, the tourism sector remains wary of the overarching economic climate in China, which has recently shown the fastest drop in consumer prices in over a year. While this could deter budget-conscious travelers, there is still a strong interest among affluent Chinese tourists, who are increasingly choosing premium accommodations in destinations like Phuket.
To enhance tourism, TAT is collaborating with various partners to launch promotions and is scheduled to conduct a roadshow aimed at rebuilding confidence among Chinese travel operators in key cities such as Xiamen, Wuhan, and Chengdu. TAT will also invite over 500 Chinese travel agents to explore Thailand’s tourism offerings next month.
Additionally, to promote travel, TAT is offering special privileges for foreign tourists in April, including discounts on car rentals, dining, and spa services.
Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), commented on the potential impact of China’s economic conditions on overall travel, suggesting that while wealthy tourists continue to travel, many are gravitating towards alternative destinations like Japan. He stated that ensuring safe travel is paramount for sustaining Thailand’s tourism industry.
According to the THA, hotel occupancy rates stood at an average of 77% in February, with projections indicating a decrease to 65% this month.
