Bangkok (VNA) – The number of Chinese touristsvisiting Thailand is expected to achieve pre-COVID-19 pandemic level by the endof year, Thai Deputy Government Spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul has said,citing a projection by the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd. Co.
Traisuree made the statement in the context that Chinese travel agency will onFebruary 6 resume outbound group tours to 20 countries, including Thailand,after the East Asian country relaxed rules governing personal foreign travel at the beginning ofthe year.
This year, the company expects 36,896 flights from China, a227.6% increase year-on-year, she said, adding that Thai Ministry of Transport has been monitoring airports'capacity to handle the expected rise in tourist volumes.
In related news, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-chaappreciates the hard work of all sides in contributing to the recovery ofThailand's tourism, said the PM's Office Minister Anucha Burapachaisri.
Another indicator of the recovery was recent figures reportedby Grabtaxi of Thailand which showed a45% growth in business in the third quarter of last year, compared with the previousquarter, he added.
Anucha also said that a decision by Qatar Airways to addthree more direct flights from Doha to Phuket from the start of this monthmeans the airline is now operating the full seven flights daily between Dohaand Thailand again.
Thailand has also been voted along with Singapore and Japanto be in the world's top three destinations in Southeast Asia./.