More Chinese tourists will be visiting Thailand this year as Chinese travel agencies offer moreperks and incentives
to their compatriots who want to visit Bangkok and other popular touristdestinations in the country, according to
a senior Thai tourism official.
In an interview on Friday, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) for East Asia SisudaVanapinyosak told
Xinhua that some 12,700 Chinese have visited Thailand earlier this monthand many more Chinese guests will be
coming to Thailand with the new perks given by touristoperators in Chinese mainland.
Last year, an estimated 50,000 Chinese had traveled to Thailand under an incentive tourismprogram provided by
business operators such as direct-sales firms in China.
Those who took advantage of the incentives given by Chinese tour operators were believed tohave spent no less
than 18 million U.S. dollars during their stay in Bangkok and Pattaya earlierthis month, Sisuda said.
According to Sisuda, the Thai Ministry of Sports & Tourism, the Thailand Convention &Exhibition Bureau and the
TAT have hosted dinners to welcome the Chinese visitors in Pattaya.
"The number of Chinese visitors under the incentive tourism program which began several yearsback is expected
to double or even triple because of the increasing number of China's middleclass and wealthier families,"Sisuda
said.
She said that in addition to the capital and other world- renowned beach resorts, the Chinesehave preferred to
visit Chiang Mai in northern Thailand as well as Phuket and Krabi in thesouthern seaside region.
The average Chinese visitor who has come under incentive tours has stayed for a week andspent about 5,000 baht
(150 U.S. dollars) per day, the TAT director said.
Most Chinese tourists visit historical sites and shopping malls in the Thai capital and travel tobeach resorts and
night-time entertainment spots in Pattaya, Sisuda said.
"Though most of the Chinese visitors to Thailand at present have not taken advantage oftourism incentives, the
number of those who will opt to try the offers will very likely increase bythe year," she said.
As many as 6 million Chinese are expected to visit Thailand throughout this year, compared to4.6 million last year,
according to the TAT director.
The Chinese visitors accounted for 20 percent of all foreign travelers to this country whichtotaled 24.6 million last
year.
After a brief slackening during the early days of the military rule in Thailand, the country'stourism industry is now
on the upswing and Thailand remains as the top destination for foreigntourists in Southeast Asia.
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