Thanet Petchsuwan Deputy Governor for Marketing Asia and the South Pacific Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said that from the overall picture of the recovery of Asian tourists now, only “Chinese Market” In fact, we have to follow up with the results of the Communist Party of China’s General Assembly on October 14-16, on the 100th anniversary of the announcement of the 22nd Plan, 4 years, which is a turning point. “Finish” how China will continue its policy on COVID-19
“May the Chinese authorities really open up the country. TAT is confident that travel demand will flow into Thailand. Even during this period, there have been concerns regarding the price of return airfares to China, which has already dropped considerably. But still considered expensive. When China opens the country It is expected that the price of airfare will come down once more.”
Chuwit Sirivejkul Director of East Asia Region TAT added that Now the Chinese government has relaxed more travel measures and “No negative signal” any. Currently, both Thai and Chinese national airlines are allowed Able to fly between Thailand – China, a total of 30 flights per week. Divided into quota for Thai airlines 15 flights per week and 15 Chinese airlines per week, resulting in “Airfare prices” especially the return from Thailand to China decreased. Previously, the price had risen to 3 hundred thousand baht. Currently, it is reduced by 5 times to 50,000 baht.
However, the trend of opening China is high, but still “Difficult to analyze” that it will start to open by the end of this year or the beginning of 2023 and which form to open will open the country at once Or start by unlocking some cities or provinces first. For example, last week, China had news that it started unlocking 5 provinces, including Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Xiamen and Guangdong. You can travel in and out of Hong Kong and Macau by No need to detain the legs back. Or start with loosening the lock in ripples. or allow some groups of travelers first
“China has closed the country for almost 3 full years. When will the Chinese leader knock to open the country? Believe that the Chinese tourist market will be a dessert that everyone wants. Thailand is considered to have the best tax. in the midst of China’s conflict with surrounding countries This makes Thailand likely to have more opportunities than other countries.”
In addition, the Chinese people miss Thailand very much. Chinese tour operators are ready to serve immediately. The airline asked for a slot to fly. Preparing to supply passenger seats Waiting for the Chinese President “Press the open country button” only, but the problem is “Readiness” of tourism operators in Thailand following finding that the travel management service company (Destination Management Company: DMC) and some of the attractions haven’t returned yet! because it is waiting for the demand of Chinese tourists to come back as well and then open for service The situation now is no different. “Chicken and Eggs”
Thanet added that The overall target of short-term market tourists from “Asia and the South Pacific” Of the TAT this year is at 6.5-7 million people from the target of 10 million foreign tourists to Thailand from the latest statistics in the first 9 months from 1 Jan.-30 Sept. Found that 6,018,943 foreign tourists around the world have arrived in Thailand.
Looking at only the top 10 of the Asia and South Pacific traveler market, number 1 is: “Malaysia” The number of 972,699 people is the first market to surpass 1 million people in early October. Traveling to Thailand through various channels, including land, rail and air, prefer to stay longer days. spend more and not only concentrated in Hat Yai, Songkhla, but also spread to other cities more in the south such as Krabi, Phatthalung, Chumphon and Nakhon Si Thammarat, with the TAT preparing to organize the event One Million Thank on October 21 in Kuala Lumpur And it is estimated that by the end of this year, there will be 1.2 million Malaysian tourists.
2nd place “India” 561,656 people have traveled to Thailand, likely 8-900,000 people by the end of this year following finding that advance bookings (Forward Booking) in the 4th quarter, this looks very good, more than 60% from the number of seats 3-4 hundred thousand seats. “Lao PDR” There is a cumulative number of tourists coming to Thailand with 410,563 people, ranked 4th. “Singapore” There are 311,567 people in ITB Asia from 18-20 October in Singapore. TAT is preparing to launch the Singapore Go High campaign to push the total to 500,000 this year. “Cambodia” There is a cumulative number of 309,034 people, ranked 6 “Vietnam” Collect 270,227 people
while number 7 “South Korea” The cumulative number is 246,434 people, the target for this year is 500,000 people, with high demand during the high season at the end of the year, especially “Golf Group” Both senior golfers, women, teenagers, Longstay and business people who are popular golfing in Chiang Mai and Pattaya, ranked 8th. “Australia” The total number of people coming to Thailand is 187,380 people.
9th place “Japan” There is a cumulative number of 178,557 people, even in the third and fourth quarter of this year, there will be an increase of 30-40 passenger seats.% but from the declaration “Open Japan” unconditional Effective from October 11, many Thai tourists are expected to visit Japan. And take seats on the Thai-Japanese route up to 50-60%, but TAT has to draw Japanese tourists to Thailand to meet the target this year of 350,000 people and ranked 10 “China” It has a cumulative number of 155,983 people.
“ASEAN markets, South Asia and Australia nothing to worry regarding The next step of The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is advancing in the East Asia market, including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan.”