Chinese New Year travel booms

BANGKOK  Kasikorn Research Centre estimates Chinese tourist arrivals to Thailand, January to March, this year, could reach 1.35 million representing an increase of 30.2% year-on-year.
The centre based its optimism on a strong Chinese New Year performance, 18 to 23 February, which saw a substantial increase in travel to Thailand.
The Chinese government declared a seven-day public holiday for the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) starting 18 and ending 24 February. Most Chinese travel to their homes to spend time with their families, but there is also a growing demand for overseas holidays.
“This is a ‘Golden Week’ for travel-related businesses in China and other countries including Thailand, one of the top holiday destinations in Southeast Asia,” the centre said.
inside no 3Thailand’s Chinese tourist market began to recover with double-digit growth in arrivals during the last two months of 2014. That positive sign has continued into Chinese New Year.
Given those factors, the centre estimates Chinese arrivals to the kingdom in Q1 will reach 1.35 million, rising 30.2% year-on-year, compared to a low 1Q14 base when travel contracted 11.9%. The market should also generate THB54 billion in revenue for travel-related businesses, up 32.4% year on year.
During 2015, the centre forecasts that about 5.25 million Chinese tourists will visit Thailand, increasing 13.5% in contrast to a 0.3% decline last year. The market should generate THB218.6 billion up 15.2% year-on-year, versus a meager growth of 1.0% in 2014.
However, the think-tank unit warned Thai travel-related businesses may face certain challenges to attract more Chinese, largely due competition from other countries in the region.
It will also cost more to tap new tourist markets in China, such as wealthy independent travellers living in urban cities on the eastern seaboard of China.
In mainstream markets such a group tourism, there has been a reaction to Chinese visitors for their lack of good manners and appalling toilet etiquette. There has been an outcry of protests from tourist attractions owners that led to the Chinese government warning its citizens to improve their behaviour, or risk inclusion on a blacklist of banned travellers.
Kasikorn Research Centre is a subsidiary company of Kasikorn Bank, which conducts tourism and business research mainly on Thailand’s economy including tourism with reliable recommendations and indicators on business prospects.

sourced:ttrweekly.com