THAILAND. Thailand was among the first destinations visited by tour groups from Mainland China this week as travel agencies restarted outbound travel to 20 countries on 6 February.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said that the first 40 tourists on two separate package tours from China arrived on a flight to Don Mueang airport on Monday morning. They flew via Spring Airlines from Guangzhou, alongside 90 individual travellers (FITs).
The tour groups were welcomed with flowers by a high-level delegation led by the Thai tourism authority and the Chinese Embassy in Thailand.
Thailand received 13 other flights bringing tour groups from China on the same day. The flights were from several cities including Xiamen, Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Chengdu, and Nanning, landing in Bangkok and Phuket airports.
Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said: “Thailand is honoured to be among the 20 countries chosen to once again welcome tour groups from China. We are extremely pleased to receive these first groups today, and look forward to the many more to come. Our thanks goes to China, the Chinese tour operators and the Chinese tourists themselves for their continued confidence in Thailand as a preferred holiday destination.”
Travellers in these package tours are expected to go on a six-day trip to some of the popular tourist sites of Bangkok and Pattaya. Among the attractions they will visit include Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Yaowarat (Chinatown), and Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen (known for its large seated Buddha image) in Bangkok; and Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Pattaya.
They are also scheduled to travel to Ko Samet, a long-popular island off the coast of Rayong known for its beaches and resorts.
Also included in the pilot scheme covering an initial 20 overseas markets are Laos, The Maldives, the United Arab Emirates, Russia and New Zealand.
