Bangkok Tops Travel Searches for Chinese New Year Celebrations
Agoda data reveals Bangkok as the leading destination for both Thai and international tourists during the festive period.
Bangkok has emerged as the most popular destination for tourists planning to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Thailand, according to recent data from digital travel platform Agoda.
The platform reported a significant uptick in accommodation searches for the Thai capital during December, reinforcing its status as a favored location for festive celebrations.
The Chinese New Year, which begins on January 29 and marks the Year of the Snake, sees Bangkok as the primary choice among travelers, boosted by a 70% increase in accommodation searches by foreign tourists compared to the previous year.
Within Thailand, other cities such as Pattaya and Chiang Mai have also seen substantial increases in interest, with searches surging by 38% and 55% respectively.
Meanwhile, Khon Kaen experienced a notable 2,964% surge in domestic accommodation searches, reflecting a growing interest in less traditional destinations.
Agoda highlighted Malaysian tourists as the most frequent foreign visitors to Thailand during the Chinese New Year period for the second consecutive year, followed by travelers from China and South Korea.
Patty Amrapala, a spokesperson for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, expressed satisfaction with Bangkok's top spot, emphasizing ongoing collaborative efforts to enhance the city’s appeal.
In contrast, Thailand's Tourism Authority (TAT) is adjusting its targets for Asian visitors due to a shift in regional travel patterns.
Despite Thailand welcoming 6.73 million Chinese tourists last year, Japan emerged as the more favored destination with 6.98 million Chinese visitors, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.
The TAT aims to counterbalance the slowing Chinese arrivals by tapping into other Asian markets such as South Korea and Japan, which are identified as having growth potential.
The TAT has initiated campaigns, including 'Grand Songkran, Grand Privileges' in April, to stimulate tourist interest through partnerships with hotels, airlines, and other service providers.
Despite the Chinese tourist downturn, TAT is enhancing cooperation with Chinese travel agencies, reinforcing Thailand's attractiveness amid celebrations marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.