Latest news with #AssociationofThaiTravelAgents
Bangkok Post
09-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Impact of tariff hikes on tourism likely to unfold next year
Tourism operators view the US's tariff policy as indirectly hampering Thai tourism in the form of reduced spending, but this impact is not expected to unfold until next year, as many tourists have already booked trips for the upcoming high season. They have also suggested the Thai government use this opportunity to upgrade the country's tourism infrastructure, develop new attractions to remain competitive with Vietnam, and accelerate the 350-million-baht chartered flight incentive to prevent a freefall in arrivals. Rangsiman Kingkaew, president of the Tourism Council of Phuket, said the economies of major inbound markets to Thailand, such as South Korea and Japan, had been stunned by the US's latest tariff rates, although there's still room for negotiation until the end of this month. Trade tensions between the US and China also persist, which could result in higher living expenses and increased prices of goods for US residents, leading to a reduction in spending and a slowdown in travel, said Mr Rangsiman. He said domestic tourism, a key driver during the low season, is also being hampered by the 36% tariff rate imposed on Thailand, as the policy would hinder the export sector and overall GDP growth. "These developments will undeniably impact the global tourism industry," said Mr Rangsiman. "However, the major tourism slowdown might occur next year, as many tourists, especially long-haul travellers, have already booked their trips to Thailand and Phuket for the high season." He said that during this period of uncertainty, the government should take the opportunity to address weaknesses in the tourism sector. These include addressing the country's image in relation to safety and incomplete infrastructure projects. Mr Rangsiman said Thailand's rivals, such as Vietnam, have been heavily investing in new attractions and infrastructure, but Thailand's tourism development has been inconsistent and continues to rely primarily on its existing charms. Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta), said slow forward bookings, particularly from short-haul and Chinese markets, during the second half of this year could be further affected by the severe US tariffs imposed on multiple countries. The short-haul market is a vital source for Thai tourism, typically accounting for over 70% of inbound visitors. Mr Thanapol said it was very disappointing that the subsidy for the chartered flight programme under the 750-million-baht "Summer Blast China & Overseas Market" had not yet been officially launched. He said many Chinese travel agents had asked Atta about this project as they are reluctant to launch tour packages to Thailand at present. "Other countries have been consistently promoting inbound tourism, notably China, which has extended visa-free entry to more nations and continues to offer promotional travel packages," he said.
The Star
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Chinese tourist numbers to Thailand plummet 34%, industry awaits recovery
BANGKOK: Thailand's tourism sector is grappling with a significant downturn in arrivals from China, with numbers plummeting by 34% in the first half of 2025. This sharp decline has forced Thai tourism authorities and operators to revise their forecasts and ramp up efforts to attract visitors, amidst a challenging global environment. Statistics for the first six months of 2025 show a cumulative 16,685,466 international tourist arrivals in Thailand, marking a 4.66% decrease year-on-year. A major factor in this slump is the Chinese market, which saw only 2,265,556 visitors, a substantial 34.13% drop. This has pushed China from its top spot, now trailing behind Malaysia, which recorded 2,299,897 arrivals, albeit with a 5.58% decrease itself. Sisdivachr Cheewaratanaporn, Honorary President and Senior Advisor of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), estimates that Chinese tourist arrivals for the entirety of 2025 will likely reach only five million. With 2.26 million already recorded by June, this means an ambitious push to attract at least another 2.74 million Chinese visitors is needed in the latter half of the year. "If we market effectively and stimulate demand continuously, we could see tourist numbers touch six million," Sisdivachr stated. "While this would signify a substantial recovery for this year, it's a reality we must accept that it's less than the 6.7 million recorded in 2024, and below the latest target of 6.9 million set by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)." Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn, President of ATTA, emphasised the enduring importance of the Chinese market. "Reducing our reliance on it completely is a difficult task," he explained. "Our priority now is to maintain the flow of travel, given the sheer size of the Chinese market base." He also voiced concerns about the speed of government intervention. "The association hopes the government will implement measures to restore confidence among Chinese tourists more quickly. It's quite slow now; half the year has passed, and the private sector cannot work in isolation. The government must step in." Following the Cabinet's approval of a 3.96 billion baht economic stimulus budget, TAT is dedicating a portion to boost the charter flight market from China. ATTA is awaiting a definitive plan from TAT to allow the private sector to coordinate marketing efforts effectively for the second half of the year, a period fraught with challenges and negative factors. In a proactive move, ATTA is organising "Roadshow to China 2025" in Chongqing, Lanzhou, and Hangzhou from July 27 to Aug 2. This initiative, a collaboration between public and private entities, will see Thai operators engage in B2B matching with leading Chinese tour companies and promote Thai attractions and services. The aim is to revitalise and expand the Chinese tourist market after the impact of Covid-19 and shifts in Chinese travel behaviour led to a 30-40% contraction in arrivals earlier in the year, affecting all segments of the tourism industry. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of TAT, outlined plans for the remainder of 2025 and into 2026. The 3.96 billion baht budget, approved on June 24, will fund seven projects. These include the "Thailand Summer Blast - China & Overseas Market Stimulus Plan," with a 750 million baht budget running until July 2026. This plan includes subsidising charter flights at 350,000 baht per flight for at least 1,000 flights from 15 secondary Chinese cities and other potential markets, directing them to key Thai destinations like Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. Joint promotional activities with commercial airlines are also planned, involving at least five airlines. Additionally, initiatives to stimulate the MICE sector and summer camps are in the pipeline, aiming to attract at least 10 partners. TAT projects that the "Thailand Summer Blast" programme alone will generate 33.518 billion baht in tourism revenue from at least 790,000 international visitors. A significant project is the "Trusted Thailand" image-building campaign, with a 300 million baht budget until September 2026. This will involve promoting Thailand through global and regional campaigns featuring prominent figures like celebrities and influencers, emphasising Thailand as a safe destination. Content creation, including films, series, and music videos showcasing Thailand, will also be a key component. TAT is also developing the "Thailand Safe Travel Stamp" to enhance safety standards across the tourism industry and promote accredited operators, aiming for extensive offline and online media reach. Furthermore, a 120 million baht publicity campaign for 2025, running until September, will target international markets by promoting ultra-luxury tourism to high-spending visitors, aiming for 500 million impressions through global influencers and Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs). Domestically, the focus is on promoting attractive cities and weekday travel, with a 20 million baht budget and a target of 100 million impressions. Finally, the "Marketing Thai Tourism through Online Travel Agent (OTA) Platforms" project, with an 800 million baht budget, will offer discount codes (up to 17.5%, max 1,500 baht per code, 533,333 codes) through OTAs for international and Chinese tourists. This is expected to generate 7.2 billion baht in direct sales from at least 950,000 international tourist arrivals between June and December 2025. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
16-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Chinese tour operators enter 'hibernation mode' as Malaysian tourists to Thailand overtake China for first time in 13 years
BANGKOK: Thailand's tourism industry is grappling with a significant downturn in Chinese visitors, with many tour operators entering what industry leaders describe as "hibernation mode" as they await a market recovery expected by 2026. The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has warned that Chinese tourist arrivals this year will reach only five million people, with the majority coming for business rather than leisure purposes. True tourist groups are estimated to represent just 20 per cent of arrivals, or approximately one million visitors. The decline reached a symbolic milestone on June 6 when Malaysian tourists surpassed Chinese visitors to become Thailand's top source market for the first time in 13 years, since 2012. Statistics from Jan 1 to 8 June show Chinese tourist arrivals totalling 2,029,481 people, whilst Malaysian visitors reached 2,041,002. The shift follows ongoing safety perception issues that have plagued Thailand's image amongst Chinese travellers, particularly since the disappearance of Chinese actress Xing Xing near the Thai-Myanmar border in early January. Sisdivachr Cheewarattanapor, Honorary President and Senior Advisory Chairman of ATTA, which represents 1,554 members including tour operators and tourism businesses, described the severe impact on the industry. "Since the Xing Xing incident, Chinese tourist confidence has been affected for over five months," he told Krungthep Turakij. "Some tour companies specialising in the Chinese market are in hibernation mode because there's no work, no tours coming in." He explained that stronger companies are struggling to survive whilst hoping for recovery in the remaining months of this year and next year. Weaker operators that relied exclusively on the Chinese market have been forced to suspend operations temporarily. "Some companies have closed entirely," Sisdivachr noted. "They had reopened after Covid hoping the Chinese market would recover to pre-pandemic levels. Last year showed good travel momentum, but now with no customers, they've closed again to wait and see if the market recovers." The tourism downturn is also affecting major property developers' investment strategies. Wallapa Traisorat, CEO and Managing Director of Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC), revealed that while the company's five-year investment plan worth 100 billion baht remains on track, adjustments may be necessary to align with global economic conditions. "The economy may recover and improve in the next 2-3 years," Wallapa explained. "We're waiting for the right timing to continue investments and focusing on projects where we see market opportunities first." AWC is concentrating its investments on destination model projects to strengthen the potential of both cities and the country by continuously attracting global partners. Key projects include Wang Nakhon Kasem in Yaowarat, Aquatique Pattaya, Lanna Thique Chiang Mai, and The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok, The Riverside hotel project. The company has notably adjusted the timeline for its ambitious Asiatique The Riverfront project, which originally planned to build Thailand's tallest 100-story building. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Thailand faces tourism crisis as foreign arrivals stagnate, minister urges urgent action
BANGKOK: Foreign tourist arrivals in Thailand are slowing to a critical level, prompting Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong to meet with the private sector to urgently address the issue and mitigate its impact. Sorawong on Wednesday (April 30) chaired a meeting to address safety concerns affecting international tourists visiting Thailand. The discussion involved key stakeholders from the private tourism sector, including the Association of Thai Travel Agents, the Thai Hotels Association, the Tourism Council of Thailand, and the Airlines Association of Thailand. Sorawong acknowledged that the current foreign tourism market in Thailand is reaching a critical point, with concern shared by both the ministry and private sector. However, he noted that the situation is still manageable if swift preventative action is taken. "Tourism remains the only strong engine driving our economy right now. We must act wherever we can," he said. Sorawong added that since the beginning of 2025, arrivals from some major markets—such as China—have declined. However, revenue from tourism has increased compared to the same period in 2024, indicating that tourists are spending more per person. From January 1 to April 27, Thailand recorded 11,841,911 foreign visitors—a minimal increase of just 0.12 per cent year-over-year—generating approximately 565.6 billion baht (US$17.07 billion) in revenue. The top five source countries were China (1.6 million), Malaysia (1.48 million), Russia (865,634), India (729,414), and South Korea (571,409). Sorawong emphasised that the main factor contributing to the decline is Thailand's perceived safety image. The ministry has been coordinating closely with the Tourist Police and other relevant agencies to ensure safety for all travelers. Although these efforts have not been widely publicised, he reassured the public that security measures are being implemented thoroughly. 'Many recent negative reports stem from misleading information, particularly when translated into other languages like Chinese and English,' he said. 'Not all reported issues reflect the real situation, and some involve scams targeting foreigners to work illegally in Thailand, not genuine tourists.' The minister also addressed concerns over high prices for tourism-related goods and services—like hotels, attractions, and flights—clarifying that the focus should be on value and fair pricing, not on being a "cheap" destination. While flight prices have risen globally, Thailand is exploring measures like cutting aviation fuel excise tax and increasing charter flights to offset costs for travelers. In conclusion, Sorawong warned that negative perceptions and misinformation could significantly damage Thailand's overall reputation, not just the tourism industry, especially as other countries—such as China—aggressively compete for international tourists. - The Nation/ANN
Euronews
19-03-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Samarkand's Silk Road legacy: From ancient murals to the revival of silk paper
Samarkand's Silk Road past is woven into its present. At Registan Square, once a bustling marketplace, researcher Armida Nazaryan explains its role as a trade hub between East and West. Nearby, at Afrasiab, restorer Marina Reutova unveils ancient Sogdian murals, offering a rare glimpse into 7th-century life. In Konigil, craftsman Zarif Mukhtarov revives the lost art of Samarkand Silk Paper, prized for its durability. Finally, in a local bakery, Gulchehra Nurriddinova shares the tradition of Samarkand's iconic flatbreads, baked in a scorching tandyr oven—an enduring symbol of Silk Road hospitality. Thailand has announced it will halve the number of days foreign tourists can stay in the country without a visa from 60 days to 30. The move comes as the Southeast Asian nation clamps down on travellers exploiting the waiver to carry out illegal business activities, tourism and sports minister Sorawong Thienthong said. Local travel and hospitality associations have also expressed concerns over visitors renting out accommodation without official authorisation. Since July 2024, passport holders from 93 countries have been allowed to stay in Thailand for tourism purposes for up to 60 days. By cutting the number of days to 30, the government says it hopes to curb misuse of the waiver period without damaging tourism. The Association of Thai Travel Agents has spoken out over concerns that an increasing number of foreigners are engaging in illicit jobs or business activities while claiming to be visiting for tourism purposes. The Thai Hotels Association raised another key issue that the 60-day stay was prompting a rise in the illegal letting of apartments to foreign visitors, the Bangkok Post reported. Thienthong said the measure has been agreed upon in principle by key ministries and an official date for the change will be announced soon. There will reportedly be possible exemptions or transitional measures for travellers who already have bookings in place. Thailand's 60-day stay has been a boon for many travellers wanting to undertake extended trips, including digital nomads and retirees. Around seven per cent of bookings to Thailand between January and February were for stays of over 22 nights, according to data from Forward Keys. Officials say the reduction in the number of visa-free days could see a small negative impact on inbound tourism demand. Tourism is a vital driver of Thailand's economy, and other challenges are also facing the industry. 'The potential policy move adds to a growing list of factors weighing on the sector [...], along with Chinese tourists' security concerns and tighter travel budgets among North American and European travellers,' Bloomberg Intelligence analysts wrote in a report this week. Thai authorities are aiming for foreign tourist arrivals to exceed 40 million in 2025, which would break the country's 2019 record. Between January and mid-March, Thailand's visitor numbers were already up 3.9 per cent from 2024.
