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Chinese arrivals to Thailand below expectation

Thailand expects 3.4-3.5 million visitors from China this year, below its target of 5 million set earlier this year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said on November 24, despite a visa-free programme rolled out to attract Chinese tourists.
Chinese arrivals to Thailand below expectation ảnh 1Tourists visit Wat Arun temple in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: Reuters)
Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand expects 3.4-3.5million visitors from China this year, below its target of 5 million setearlier this year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said on November 24,despite a visa-free programme rolled out to attract Chinese tourists.

About 3.01 million Chinese tourists have visited thecountry so far this year, it said. China has been a key source market forThailand’s vital tourism industry, with 11 million Chinese visitors in 2019,accounting for more than a quarter of foreign arrivals that year.

China’s slowing economy makes people worry aboutspending on tourism, said Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, TAT’s Deputy Governorfor international marketing in Asia and South Pacific.

A recent mall shooting in Bangkok also affectedtourist confidence, he added.

Overall foreign tourist arrivals were at about 23.88million since the start of the year, Chattan said.

The government is targeting 28 million arrivalsversus a pre-pandemic record of nearly 40 million foreign tourist arrivals in2019./.
VNA
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