Tourists visit Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok, Thailand (Source: Xinhua/VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Thailand’s tourism sectoris expected to get a windfall from the trade war between China and the US as Chinesetourists are looking to shorten their long haul flights to visit closerdestinations instead.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) officesin Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Kunming have been successful in promotingThai tourism to these cities. Close to 10.5 million Chinese tourists travelledto Thailand last year, which is forecast to reach 11.6 million this year.
TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said that assessmentsconducted by five TAT offices in China found that yuan appreciation and tradeconflicts with the US were the key factors which could deter Chinese fromtravelling further abroad.
The TAT office in Shanghai has promoted summercamp packages in Chiang Mai by forging partnerships with four local travelagencies, he said.
Chiang Mai’s summer camp programme featuresthree main activities: experiencing the life of local people, studying Englishlanguage, and cultural exchanges with Thai people.
Visa policies could entice more visitors fromChina, such as waivers of visa-on-arrival fees and e-visas, as well aslonger-stay visas, he said.
Thailand introduced an e-visa service this yearbut is still struggling with the system. The links need to be worked outquickly to ensure a better travel experience for tourists.
Apart from luring more Chinese tourists, the TATwill focus more on the short-haul market, especially quality tourists, accordingto Yuthasak.
The agency plans to sign deals with largeChinese companies such as China Travel and Alipay of Ant Financial ServicesGroup to cooperate on facilitating Chinese tourists in Thailand.
The TAT expects at least 2 million more Chinesetourists from cooperation with each of these two companies.
Yuthasak conceded that other Asian countrieswould also benefit from the trade war, meaning competition to lure Chinesetravellers to their countries could be fierce.–VNA
VNA
