As travel opens up, Thailand prepares for 5 million Chinese tourists

Robert Besser
27 Jan 2023, 12:10 GMT+10

Following China's reopening and the end of its strict COVID-19 restrictions, businesses in Phuket are preparing for the return of Chinese tourists
Before the COVID-19 pandemic , about one-third of Thailand's tourists were Chinese, who once spent a quarter of a trillion US dollars on global travel
Thailand's government is expecting at least five million Chinese tourist arrivals this year, with 300,000 in the first quarter

BANGKOK, Thailand: Following China's reopening and the end of its strict COVID-19 restrictions, businesses on Thailand's holiday island of Phuket are preparing for the return of Chinese tourists, which they hope can boost their flagging fortunes.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic , about one-third of Thailand's tourists were Chinese, who once spent a quarter of a trillion US dollars on global travel.

Speedboat driver Wittaya Yooyen, 56, who operates a water-sports business at Patong beach, said, "I am so ready to welcome Chinese tourists. I am so ready because with them here it is good money. It is good that the Chinese are coming, and I am not worried about COVID-19."

His business, which offers paragliding, water skiing and other activities, suffered heavy losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Thailand's had strict entry conditions and long mandatory quarantine periods.

Asia's holiday hotspots are now welcoming the return of Chinese tourists, who are celebrating the Lunar New Year, as tourism in the region is benefitting from pent up demand and the end of most travel restrictions.

Thailand's government is expecting at least five million Chinese tourist arrivals this year, with 300,000 in the first quarter.

Phuket, which attracts some one-quarter of Thailand's annual tourist arrivals, is expected to benefit from the surge in Chinese tourists.

Many of the island's businesses suffered severely from the pandemic, as the island economy is almost entirely dependent upon tourism.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to St Louis Star.

More Information

59 ℉

Fair in Cahokia/St. Louis

International

Section

Annual bison roundup conducted at Custer State Park, South Dakota

CUSTER STATE PARK, South Dakota: As part of an annual effort to maintain the health of the species, which has ...

Uzbek capital Tashkent hit by blast, one dead, 162 injured

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan: Uzbek authorities said a powerful explosion on September 28 at a warehouse near Tashkent's airport killed one person ...

Unidentified winner claims Florida's $1.6 billion lottery

TALLAHASSEE, Florida: The Florida Lottery said this week that the second-largest lottery winner in U.S. history has come forward to ...

Survey retains New York as world's top financial center, London second

LONDON, UK: This week, the Global Financial Centers index showed that New York remains the world's leading financial center, with ...

Taiwan develops first domestically-made submarine

KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan: In a significant milestone for its defense capabilities, Taiwan has unveiled its first domestically developed submarine. Although it ...

To avoid 'lecture', Solomon Islands PM says he did not meet with Biden

HONIARA, Solomon Islands: Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare revealed that he opted out of a Pacific Islands leaders' summit at the ...

Business

Section