Thai Tourism Authority Targets Western China for Tourist Arrivals

The Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta) is actively pursuing new markets in western China, launching a roadshow aimed at boosting Chinese tourist arrivals back to pre-pandemic figures. The initiative focuses on cities like Urumqi, Dunhuang, and Lanzhou, located along the historic Silk Road trade route.

During the roadshow, Atta, in collaboration with the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA), brought together more than 80 Thai tourism operators to engage with approximately 600 Chinese counterparts. This effort underscores Atta's president Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn's belief that reciprocal tourism is vital for recovery, stating, "If there are not enough Thai tourists travelling abroad, there will not be any foreign tourists coming here either."

Western China, with a population of 223 million, represents a significant potential market. Airports in the region handled over 12 million passengers last year, a 35% increase. Urumqi International Airport alone saw a 64% year-on-year increase in passengers. The Tourism Authority of Thailand's (TAT) Chengdu office notes that rising disposable incomes in Xinjiang province are driving outbound travel demand, with Chinese travelers favoring warm destinations like Bangkok and Phuket, especially during winter.

However, challenges persist. Urumqi still lacks direct flights to Thailand after charter services were suspended during the pandemic. Nijutti Yusufu, manager at CYTS Travel Service in Xinjiang, noted a significant drop in tourists from the region visiting Thailand, from 50,000-100,000 annually to around 10,000-20,000, citing a lack of flights and safety concerns.

Potential packages targeting Urumqi travelers include winter island escapes, Muslim-friendly tours, culinary trips, family adventures, and honeymoon packages. Despite the hurdles, the TAT's Chengdu office sees potential, highlighting the region's growing outbound travel market and preferences for accessible, warm-weather destinations.

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If there are not enough Thai tourists travelling abroad, there will not be any foreign tourists coming here either.