Now Shenzhen | January 4, 2024
In a significant development in international travel, Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, announced on January 2nd that China and Thailand will mutually exempt visas for their citizens permanently starting from March. This groundbreaking move is expected to bolster tourism and strengthen cultural ties between the two nations.
Following the announcement, there was an immediate and notable impact on the tourism sector. Travel stocks experienced a sharp surge in the afternoon trading session. On Mafengwo, a popular travel platform, the search popularity for “Bangkok” skyrocketed by 200% in an instant. Interest in Thai islands and independent travel to Thailand also jumped significantly, with increases of 166% and 137% respectively.
Data from Ctrip, a leading travel service provider, further underscores the enthusiasm this news has generated. As of January 1st, bookings for trips from China to Thailand during the period from January 2nd to the Chinese New Year have increased more than tenfold compared to 2023. Similarly, travel reservations from Thailand to mainland have seen a staggering 779% increase compared to last year.
Thai tourists are showing a keen interest in various Chinese destinations. The top cities on their travel list include Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Harbin, Chengdu, Kunming, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Chongqing, and Changsha. This surge in travel interest highlights the strong appeal of cultural and touristic experiences in both countries.
The mutual visa exemption is a landmark decision that promises to open new doors for cultural exchange, business opportunities, and tourism growth.
Source: 澎湃新闻
Article from: AnyShenzhen