In an effort to boost Chinese tourists’ confidence and promote quality tourism in Thailand, Thailand’s Prime Minister Mr. Srettha Thavisin presided over the signing ceremony of a letter of intent (LOI) between the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and eight major Chinese tourism partners. The LOI signing, which took place during the Prime Minister’s first official visit to China, included industry leaders such as Huawei Technologies, Trip.com Group, Meituan.com, and Alipay. This strategic partnership aims to leverage technology, online platforms, and airlines to enhance the positive image of Thailand as a tourist destination and stimulate more travel from China. With a solid commitment from these industry giants, Thailand hopes to reach its target of 4 million to 4.4 million Chinese tourists in 2023, and ultimately generate over 200 billion Baht in revenue.
Signing Ceremony and Participants
Venue and Date
The signing ceremony of the letter of intent (LOI) between the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and eight leading tourism players in China took place at the Kerry Hotel in Beijing, China on October 19, 2023.
Participants
The agreement was signed between Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, and top executives of the eight strategic tourism partners: Huawei Technologies’ Mr. Walter Ji, Trip.com Group’s Mr. Sun Bo, Meituan’s Ms. Lu Menxi, Spring Airlines’ Mr. Wang Yu, Sina News’ Mr. Cong Song, Alipay’s Mr. Zhou Yi, iQIYI’s Mr. Yang Xianghua, and Jego Trip’s Dr. Yong Ji.
Importance of the Agreement
Chinese-Thai Partnership
The Thai government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Mr. Srettha Thavisin, recognizes the importance of reinforcing the comprehensive Thailand-China strategic partnership. This LOI signing is a significant step towards strengthening cooperation in various areas, including trade and investment, education, art and culture, and tourism.
Visa Exemption Scheme
To facilitate Chinese travelers, Thailand has implemented a visa exemption scheme until February 29, 2024. This scheme is aimed at increasing the ease of travel for Chinese tourists and enhancing the overall tourism experience they have in Thailand.
Framework for Cooperation
Long-term Strategic Cooperation
The signing of the LOI between TAT and the eight major Chinese tourism partners lays a framework for long-term strategic cooperation. This partnership will help promote quality tourism and maintain the confidence of Chinese tourists in Thailand. By working together, both Thailand and China can benefit from a sustainable and mutually beneficial tourism industry.
Quality Tourism
The cooperation aims to promote quality tourism to Thailand. By partnering with leading tourism players in China, TAT can ensure that Chinese tourists have access to reliable and high-quality services throughout their journey. This focus on quality will help elevate the positive image of Thailand as a tourist destination and attract more Chinese travelers.
Tourists’ Confidence
Another important aspect of the partnership is maintaining the confidence of Chinese tourists in Thailand. In recent years, there have been concerns about safety and security for Chinese tourists traveling abroad. By collaborating with trusted partners, TAT can address these concerns and provide Chinese tourists with a sense of security during their visit to Thailand.
Strategic Tourism Partners
The LOI signing involves eight major Chinese tourism partners who play key roles in the travel industry. These partners include:
Huawei Technologies
As a leading technology company, Huawei Technologies can bring innovative solutions to the travel industry. Their expertise will be valuable in enhancing the overall travel experience for Chinese tourists visiting Thailand.
Trip.com Group
Trip.com Group is one of the largest online travel agencies in China. Their platform provides Chinese travelers with a convenient way to plan and book their trips to Thailand. Collaborating with Trip.com Group will help attract more Chinese tourists to Thailand.
Meituan.com
Meituan.com is a popular online platform in China that offers various services, including travel bookings. Partnering with Meituan.com will give Chinese tourists easy access to travel information and booking services for their trips to Thailand.
Spring Airlines
Spring Airlines is a Chinese low-cost carrier that focuses on domestic and international flights. By working with Spring Airlines, TAT can provide Chinese tourists with more affordable options for traveling to Thailand.
Sina News
Sina News is a major news platform in China. Through collaboration with Sina News, TAT can enhance its communication and marketing efforts to reach a wider audience of potential Chinese tourists.
Alipay
Alipay is a leading online payment platform in China. By integrating Alipay into the travel experience, Chinese tourists can enjoy convenient and secure payment options during their visit to Thailand.
iQIYI
iQIYI is a popular online streaming platform in China. Collaborating with iQIYI enables TAT to promote tourism in Thailand through engaging content and media campaigns.
Jego Trip
Jego Trip is a Chinese online travel platform that offers a wide range of travel services. By partnering with Jego Trip, TAT can provide Chinese tourists with comprehensive travel solutions and enhance their overall experience in Thailand.
Coverage of Travel Alliance
Customer Journey
The LOI signing between TAT and the eight major Chinese tourism partners represents the largest cooperation agreement in the Chinese market, covering all steps of the customer journey. From obtaining Thailand’s travel information through platforms like iQIYI and Sina News to planning and booking trips via platforms like Trip.com Group, Meituan.com, Alipay, and Jego Trip, Chinese tourists will have access to comprehensive and reliable services throughout their travel experience.
Travel Information
With the collaboration between TAT and platforms like iQIYI and Sina News, Chinese tourists can easily access up-to-date and relevant travel information about Thailand. This ensures that they have all the necessary details to plan their trips and make informed decisions.
Planning and Booking
Through partnerships with Trip.com Group, Meituan.com, Alipay, and Jego Trip, Chinese tourists can conveniently plan and book their trips to Thailand. These platforms offer a wide range of options and services to cater to the diverse preferences and needs of Chinese travelers.
Traveling to Thailand
Collaboration with Spring Airlines enables TAT to provide Chinese tourists with more affordable and accessible options for traveling to Thailand. With Spring Airlines’ domestic and international flights, Chinese tourists can easily reach Thailand and explore its various destinations.
Objectives and Benefits
Positive Image of Thailand
One of the objectives of the LOI signing is to elevate the positive image of Thailand as a tourist destination. By partnering with trusted and reputable Chinese tourism players, TAT can showcase the unique attractions, hospitality, and cultural experiences that Thailand has to offer.
Boosting Confidence
Maintaining the confidence of Chinese tourists is crucial for the success of Thailand’s tourism industry. Through the partnership with the eight major Chinese tourism partners, TAT can address concerns and provide Chinese tourists with a sense of security and trust during their visit to Thailand.
Tourism Promotions
The cooperation between TAT and the Chinese tourism partners will also involve joint tourism promotions. By leveraging the extensive networks and platforms of the partners, TAT can reach a wider audience and stimulate more travel to Thailand. These promotions can include special offers, discounts, and exclusive experiences to attract Chinese tourists.
Strengthening Cooperation
Technology in Tourism
The partnership with leading technology companies like Huawei Technologies and online platforms like Trip.com Group and Meituan.com will strengthen cooperation in tourism-related technology. This collaboration can lead to the development of innovative solutions and applications that enhance the travel experience for Chinese tourists and improve the overall efficiency of the Thai tourism industry.
Promoting Quality Tourism
The focus on promoting quality tourism is an important aspect of the partnership. Through collaboration with the Chinese tourism partners, TAT can ensure that Chinese tourists have access to reliable and high-quality services throughout their journey. This commitment to quality will help establish Thailand as a preferred destination for Chinese tourists.
Target for Chinese Tourists
Tourist Arrivals Goal
The collaboration between TAT and the eight major Chinese tourism partners aims to reach a target of 4 million to 4.4 million Chinese tourists in 2023. Achieving this goal will contribute significantly to Thailand’s tourism industry and economic growth.
Financial Impact
If the target of 4 million to 4.4 million Chinese tourists is met, it is estimated that it will generate over 200 billion Baht in revenue. This financial impact will be crucial for the recovery and growth of the Thai tourism industry, particularly in the post-pandemic period.
Chinese Tourist Market
Significance in Tourism
China is a significant market for the global tourism industry, and Thailand recognizes its importance. Chinese tourists have been known to have a high interest in international travel and exploring new destinations. By attracting more Chinese tourists, Thailand can benefit from increased tourism revenue and economic growth.
Tourist Numbers
From January to October 2023, Thailand recorded a total of 2,645,885 Chinese tourists. This makes China the second largest tourist market for Thailand. With the collaboration between TAT and the eight major Chinese tourism partners, it is expected that this number will continue to grow in the coming years.
Conclusion
The signing of the LOI between TAT and the eight major Chinese tourism partners marks a significant milestone in the strategic partnership between Thailand and China. This comprehensive cooperation agreement aims to boost Chinese tourists’ confidence and promote quality tourism to Thailand. By leveraging the expertise and resources of the Chinese tourism partners, TAT can enhance the overall travel experience for Chinese tourists and achieve its target of attracting millions of Chinese tourists to Thailand. With the strong collaboration between both countries, Thailand’s tourism industry is poised for growth and success in the Chinese market.
Article Source: Thai PM chairs LOI signing between TAT and eight major Chinese tourism partners (TAT Newsroom)
