For this year, TAT maintains its target of 10.5-11 million arrivals from China, up from last year’s 9.8 million
Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to announce that Ctrip.com, China’s largest and most influential online travel agent, has ranked Thailand the number one global destination for Chinese tourists during this year’s National Day vacation, or the Chinese Golden Week 2018.
Thailand comes out on top of Japan, Hong Kong SAR, Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan and Korea, among more than 1,000 destinations in nearly 100 countries. Favourite Thai destinations among Chinese tourists have included Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai to name only a few.
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said: “China is Thailand’s largest tourist market, and this latest Ctrip’s study shows that the kingdom continues to win the heart of Chinese tourists with a wide range of attractions, ranging from local experiences, abundant natural beauty and remarkable variety of activities, including soft adventure, health and wellness, wedding and honeymoon, and sports tourism.
“That Thailand coming out on top as the world’s hottest destination for Chinese tourists during the Chinese Golden Week 2018 can be attributed to the ongoing effort by the Thai government and the public and private sectors to step up measures to assure confidence among tourists,” Mr. Yuthasak added.
This includes the progress made by all stakeholders in improving marine safety and the ongoing promotions as well as marketing efforts by TAT and its offices in Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Kunming, Shanghai and Hong Kong SAR. A plan to grant a double-entry or multiple visa for Chinese tourists is also in the pipeline.
For this year, TAT maintains its target of 10.5-11 million arrivals from China, up from last year’s 9.8 million. This year, from January to August, Thailand already welcomed 7.7 million Chinese tourists (+16.51%), generating 423 billion Baht (+22.17%).
The Ctrip’s study also comes hot on the heels of a record-breaking year of awards and accolades for Thailand’s travel sector in 2018, including Bangkok named number one city in the world by the Mastercard’s 2018 Global Destination Cities Index and Thailand placed third in the Best Country category of the Conde Nast Traveller UK 2018 Readers’ Travel Awards. In addition, Thailand takes its rightful place as one of Asia’s leading sports tourism destinations, successfully hosting its first MotoGP race this month.
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