Thailand Urges China for Long-Term Tourism Cooperation Amid Economic Slowdown

Thailand — Ekhbary News Agency

The Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta) has strongly urged the Thai government to prioritize strengthening tourism cooperation with China. This call comes amidst a period of slower Chinese economic growth and coincides with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's official visit to Beijing this week. For what it's worth, the industry sees this as a crucial opportunity to secure long-term agreements and enhance affordable travel connectivity between the two nations.

Forging Strategic Partnerships

Adith Chairattananon, Atta's honorary secretary-general, emphasized the importance of leveraging the Prime Minister's visit to forge strategic partnerships, particularly with China's secondary cities. He advocated for increasing direct flights to Thailand, a move deemed essential to sustain demand given China's weak domestic consumption. Promoting airfares and convenient direct routes would, it's plain to see, make Thailand a more attractive option for Chinese travelers compared to other destinations, especially with its relatively lower travel costs.

Long-Term Vision for Tourism

Beyond immediate gains, the tourism sector proposed renewing the Thailand-China Bilateral Tourism Agreement. This would elevate existing marketing partnerships into strategic cooperation. Furthermore, Mr. Adith suggested establishing a joint working committee to address critical issues like safety, tourism standards, and data exchange. Such a body could also manage emergencies involving travelers from both countries. The government should also initiate efforts to expedite the ASEAN-China tourism strategy, developing a joint marketing plan for multi-country routes and integrating transport and digital payment systems. This comprehensive approach, Mr. Adith concluded, aims to build enduring cooperation, fostering a common market between China and ASEAN, rather than merely focusing on short-term tourist arrivals.