In a move set to redefine travel dynamics between the two nations, China and Thailand have sealed a historic reciprocal 30-day visa-free agreement, triggering an immediate surge in travel interest.
According to data from Trip.com, a leading Chinese travel platform, searches for ‘Thailand’ skyrocketed more than sevenfold following the announcement of the deal on Jan. 29. Similarly, searches for ‘China’ on the Thai version of the platform saw a remarkable fourfold increase.
Effective March 1, the agreement allows passport holders from both China and Thailand to visit each other’s country for up to 30 days without the need for a visa. Qin Jing, Vice President of Trip.com, hailed the visa waivers as a significant step towards facilitating seamless travel between the two nations. He emphasized that the tourism resources of China and Thailand complement each other, with China emerging as a convenient winter sports destination for Thai travelers.
Qin further predicted that the permanent visa waiver would attract a substantial number of Thai tourists, potentially positioning Thailand as one of the top three sources of inbound tourists to China this year.
The announcement sparked a flurry of activity in the travel sector, with searches for plane tickets and hotel accommodations surging over sixfold. Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, and Pattaya emerged as the most sought-after destinations in Thailand, while Shanghai, Chengdu, Harbin, Shenzhen, Beijing, Tianjin, Chongqing, and Zhangjiajie topped the list in China.
With the Chinese New Year approaching in mid-February, bookings to Thailand experienced an exponential increase of over 13 times compared to the previous year. Family trips and immersive travel experiences have gained momentum, reflecting a shift in preferences among Chinese tourists who are now more inclined to invest in culinary delights and recreational activities.
Meanwhile, Lunar New Year bookings for destinations within China surged over eightfold, with cities such as Shanghai, Kunming, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Beijing, Xiamen, Harbin, Nanjing, and Nanning witnessing heightened interest.
Qin highlighted China’s efforts to bolster tourism ties with Southeast Asian nations, noting that similar visa waiver agreements have been inked with Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. These agreements are expected to further fuel the popularity of travel to Southeast Asia among Chinese travelers, ushering in a new era of regional connectivity and exploration.
