Chinese travellers return to Thailand
March 9, 2011 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under News, Thailand
BANGKOK, 9 March 2011 – Minister of Tourism and Sports, Chumpol Silpa-Archa, believes Chinese travellers are taking Thailand’s political situation in their stride and are no longer as concerned about safety in the country.
He claims statistics back his positive sentiment. Data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports indicates Chinese made 1,127,803 visits to the country, up 45.05% from 777,508 in 2009, up 36.43% from 826,660 travellers in 2008, and up 24.33% on 907,117 visits in 2007.
Moreover, from the latest data, Chinese arrivals in January showed a positive improvement with 129,805 visits, up 21.40% from 106,920.
In 2010, Chinese visitors stayed six days, while the average spending per person per day was Bt4,352.45.
There are seven airlines operating up to 136 flights each week from China to Thailand.
They include Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines. From Thailand, there are only two carriers; Thai Airways International and Thai AirAsia.
Thai Airway operates flights to six destinations in China including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Chengdu, and Xiamen.
Thai AirAsia currently operates services to Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hangzhou. It pulled out of Xiamen in 2008.
