NationThailand-May 27
The decline in Chinese travelers to Thailand may not be temporary, as there was a severe drop in visits after the Chinese New Year, falling to fewer than 300,000 per month. According to an analysis by KKP Research, Chinese visitors to Thailand had recovered to 60–70% of pre-Covid-19 levels by late 2024. However, following the Chinese New Year in January 2025, the number of Chinese tourists sharply declined by nearly half, dropping to fewer than 300,000 visitors per month — equivalent to only 30% of the pre-pandemic figures. Before Covid-19, Chinese visitors to Thailand tended to travel in groups more frequently than in other regions — nearly 40% were group tourists, while independent travelers made up about 60%. However, last year, independent travelers recovered to 77.4% of 2019 levels, equating to 5.3 million tourists. Group tourists, meanwhile, only recovered to 33.4%, or about 1.4 million visitors. Meanwhile, Chinese tourists who still travel abroad are increasingly choosing other countries instead of Thailand. Outbound flights from China have gradually recovered since March, but inbound flights to Thailand continue to decline, reflecting a decrease in Thailand’s appeal rather than a general drop in Chinese overseas travel. KKP Research noted two main reasons why fewer Chinese tourists are choosing Thailand. Repeat visits by Chinese tourists may require time, especially for free independent travelers who need to plan their trips carefully. This is a temporary factor that may improve gradually in the second half of the year. Safety concerns have intensified in the eyes of Chinese tourists, which is a structural issue requiring time to restore Thailand’s positive image. This is particularly important for independent travelers, who tend to be more sensitive to safety issues than group tourists. Read more at: https://www.nationthailand.com/business/economy/40050512
