Southeast Asia's second largest economy expects rise in Chinese tourists in May

The number of Chinese visitors to Thailand fell 12% year-on-year to 1 million in the first two months of this year amid economic challenges and tourism safety concerns, Bangkok Post reported citing the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

In February alone, Chinese arrivals dropped by 45% compared to the same period last year.

The second largest economy of Southeast Asia had set a target of attracting at least 9 million Chinese visitors this year.

However, safety concerns escalated following the high-profile kidnapping of Chinese actor Wang Xing, also known as Xing Xing, in January, deterring potential tourists from China, the country’s largest source of foreign visitors.

Flight cancelations from Chinese tourists to Thailand spiked by 94% in January, and data from the first two weeks of February indicate that travel bookings remain below 2024 levels, according to Bloomberg Intelligence research.

TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing in Asia and the South Pacific, Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, expressed optimism that Chinese arrivals will recover in May, coinciding with China’s five-day Labor Day holiday.

"People have already started making bookings for this period," she said.

The Association of Thai Travel Agents estimated that Chinese tourist arrivals in Thailand will reach only 7 million this year, falling short of the government’s 9 million target, Nation Thailand reported.

In addition to safety concerns, Thailand also faces growing competition from other destinations such as Japan and Vietnam, the association added.