Thursday, February 1, 2024
Thailand teams up with Trip.com for a live event, generating over 100M baht in sales, highlighting travel deals to boost tourism from China.
The Thailand Tourism Authority, in partnership with Trip.com Group, successfully orchestrated the ‘Super World Tour BOSS LIVE’ event as part of the “Thailand – A Must for Chinese” initiative at the Rosewood Bangkok Hotel on the evening of January 31. This event remarkably generated over 100 million baht within a single day.
During this online event, a plethora of travel deals for Thailand were showcased, including discounts on flights, special offers on accommodations, and comprehensive travel packages. The goal was to position Thailand as a premier destination, highlighting its stunning islands, rich cultural heritage, and exquisite cuisine. Ms. Sun Tianxu, Vice President of Trip.com Group, helmed the livestream and highlighted the effectiveness of such platforms in attracting Chinese tourists. For Trip.com Group, Thailand has emerged as a pivotal destination, with Bangkok ranking as the top destination in Southeast Asia for Chinese visitors in 2023. Furthermore, Phuket and Chiang Mai were among the top ten, with bookings surging by 174% from the previous year, indicating their importance as prime destinations through 2024.
Prime Minister Mr. Srettha Thavisin revealed that on January 28, an agreement was signed between Thailand and China to allow mutual visa exemptions for ordinary and official passport holders, starting March 1, 2024. This move aims to boost tourism, investment, trade, and foster stronger ties between the two nations, coinciding with the 49th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year.
Ms. Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, Minister of Tourism and Sports, emphasized the critical role of the Chinese tourist market in revitalizing Thailand’s economy. The government is actively promoting events across the country, beginning with the Chinese New Year celebrations, which stand as the largest event of its kind outside China. The festivities are designed to promote cultural exchange and attract a significant number of Chinese and international visitors. Additionally, the ‘World Water Festival’ is set to showcase Songkran as a global celebration, with the Chinese Ambassador facilitating activities to entice Chinese tourists to partake in the traditional festivities throughout April.
Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the TAT, mentioned that the visa exemption for Chinese tourists is a strategic move to boost inbound tourism. The TAT is leveraging remote tourism strategies through Soft Power: 5F to enhance the value of tourism products and services, thereby transforming and upgrading the Thai tourism industry. The TAT has also entered into a Letter of Intent (LOI) with eight major Chinese partners and collaborated with Chinese airlines to rebuild trust, develop the Thai tourism sector comprehensively, and elevate safety standards, ensuring Thailand remains a top travel choice.
The TAT assures that this initiative will significantly boost Chinese inbound tourism, enhance tourists’ confidence, and sustainably promote Thailand’s status as a prime travel destination. The next livestream event is scheduled to take place in Phuket on February 28, 2024.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Saturday, April 27, 2024
