China New Year travel booms
February 11, 2013 by Wanwisa Ngamsangchaikit
Filed under News, North Asia, Thailand
BANGKOK, 11 February 2013: Kasikorn Research Centre estimates Chinese tourists travelling to Thailand during the New Year holiday will boost tourism revenue to Bt29.6 billion in the first quarter of the year.
The research centre said Thailand continues to be a top destination for Chinese tourists to celebrate Chinese New Year holiday. This year the holiday rolled out 9 February and continues through to 15 February. The actual Chinese New Year Day was celebrated Sunday,10 February.
The Chinese research institution forecast on the eve of the holiday claimed there would be a 20% increase this year in Chinese holiday makers. Government regulations have been eased to encourage travel. Also, more Chinese can afford to take international holidays because they have stronger purchasing power as a result of steady economic growth.
Puff and Pie cuts fares
February 11, 2013 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under Travel Deals
BANGKOK, 11 February 2013: THAI International Airways offers Chinese New Year promotional fares for customer who visit its Puff & Pie Bakery at the airline’s booth located at the Chinese New Year Festival in Bangkok’s Chinatown.
The offer is valid for economy class tickets to China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
THAI Commercial Department executive vice president, Danuj Bunnag said: “To thank customers during the 2013 Chinese New Year celebration, THAI is offering special fares on roundtrip economy class tickets to China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.”
New Year snake slithers in
February 5, 2013 by Rapeepat Mantanarat
Filed under News, Thailand
BANGKOK, 5 February 2013: Key Chinese communities in Thailand are ready to host Chinese New Year celebrations that start in earnest 10 February when Chinese around the world welcome the Year of the Snake.
The duration of the holiday that falls in January, or February, based on the lunar calendar, is celebrated for a week up to 15 days depending on the country.
Tourism Authority of Thailand projects 2.68 million tourists will spend Bt10.8 billion from 6 to 14 February. Most of the tourists will be locals (2.4 million), while around 270,000 will be mainly Chinese or descendants of Chinese settlers who moved from mainland China to cities in Asia.
Chinese New Year travel begins
January 28, 2013 by AFP
Filed under News, North Asia
BEIJING, 28 January 2013: The world’s largest annual migration began Saturday in China with tens of thousands in the capital boarding trains to journey home for next month’s Lunar New Year celebrations.
Passengers will log 220 million train rides during the 40-day travel season, the Ministry of Railways estimates, as they criss-cross the country to celebrate with their families 10 February.
Many spend weeks at home for the most important holiday of the Chinese calendar, with the travel period spanning about two weeks before and after the Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Festival.
More Chinese heading to Thailand
January 21, 2013 by Wanwisa Ngamsangchaikit
Filed under News, North Asia
BANGKOK, 21 January 2012: The Tourism Council of Thailand estimates Chinese arrivals to Thailand during Chinese New Year holiday (1 to 10 February) will reach 100,000 visits and generate Bt4,200 million in tourism-related revenue.
TCT president, Piyaman Tejapaibul, said due to an anticipated increase in tourist arrivals during the holiday, particularly from China and Hong Kong, the government should tighten safety and security measures.
“The government should allay fears and build tourist confidence during the holiday specifically in terms of increasing safety and security.”
Celebration fireworks explode
BANGKOK, 25 January 2012: Three people were killed and around 40 injured when fireworks at a Chinese New Year celebration in Thailand caused a huge explosion and set fire to nearby homes, police said Tuesday.
Flaming shrapnel from the fireworks rained down on a residential area behind the Chinese temple in Suphan Buri provincial town, northwest of Bangkok, where the official event was taking place.
“We think the explosion was an accident. The fire is under control but we will keep monitoring it,” said local police commander Reera Butrpho. Read more
ATTA warns difficult year ahead
January 23, 2012 by Wanwisa Ngamsangchaikit
Filed under News, Thailand
BANGKOK, 23 January 2012: The Association of Thai Travel Agents says tourist arrivals to Thailand during Chinese New Year dropped by 30% due to a terrorist threat in the capital.
ATTA president, Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, said news of possible terrorist attacks, leaked by the US and Israeli embassies, damaged tourism over the Chinese New Year.
“Travel agents have moved clients from Bangkok, mainly Khao San Road, Bang Lamphu and Soi Sukhumvit 22, where the embassies identified threats.” Read more
Asia Pacific greets Year of the Rabbit
BEIJING, 3 February 2011 – Asia rang in the Year of the Rabbit on Thursday with fireworks, lion dances and prayers that the bunny will live up to its reputation for happiness and good fortune in 2011.
From Sydney to Pyongyang, the Lunar New Year was marked by a thundering barrage of firecrackers, family feasts — and rabbits galore.
In Beijing, as in cities across China, fireworks lit up the sky at midnight as millions of revellers celebrated the arrival of the Year of the Rabbit. The salvo rumbled on through the early hours of Thursday.
Chinese New Year boosts Chiang Mai travel
February 1, 2011 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under News, Thailand
BANGKOK, 1 February 2011 –Chiang Mai is gaining its fair share of Chinese New Year vacations, according to Chinese consul general in Chiang Mai, Ju Wei Ming, but travel to other Thailand’s resorts was equally positive.
He claimed 1,500 Chinese tourists were booked on 10 charter flights to celebrate Chinese New Year in the northern capital Chiang Mai, a substantial increase in traffic when compared to February last year.
TAT backs Chinese New Year festivities
January 25, 2011 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under News, Thailand
BANGKOK, 25 January 2011 – Tourism Authority of Thailand expects Chinese New Year Celebrations in Thailand will earn Bt7.8 billion in tourism revenue at 12 venues in 10 provinces around Thailand.
The event launches 27 January in Nakhon Sawan, but the main festival will be held at the Thailand Cultural Centre 1 February to mark the 36th year of Thai – Chinese diplomatic relations, TAT announced, late last week.
The 10 provinces joining the Chinese New Year celebration include Bangkok (three venues), Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Ratchaburi, Chonburi (Pattaya), Chiang Mai, Phuket and Songkhla (Hat Yai).
