Last year Thailand introduced a pilot program for Chinese tourists, which allowed for visa-free travel for up to 30 days at a time. It was immediately successful, and the program was made permanent.
International travel by Chinese tourists is booming and is about 80% of pre-pandemic levels. What’s more, per-person spending by Chinese tourists abroad is much higher than pre-pandemic periods, according to McKinsey. Chinese per-tourist spending in Japan has more than doubled, and up by two thirds in Singapore.
By removing the visa restrictions for inbound Chinese travelers, Thailand has removed a key hurdle for travelers. Industries and companies located in jurisdictions with visa requirements for Chinese tourists are competing now against the Thai tourism industry, which is racing to offer more flights to serve this new market.
Resources and links:
Reuters, Thailand and China permanently waive tourist visa requirements
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailand-china-permanently-waive-visas-each-others-citizens-march-thai-pm-2024-01-02/
Al Jazeera, Thailand sees Chinese tourism soar as visa requirements dropped
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/16/thailand-sees-chinese-tourism-soar-as-visa-requirement-dropped
McKinsey & Company, Chinese consumers are spending again
https://www.mckinsey.com/cn/our-insights/our-insights/consumers-are-spending-again
