(Bangkok Post file photo)Both Thai and Chinese tourism operators are optimistic about a recovery in visitors from the mainland during the Chinese New Year next month. The perception of Thailand as a top travel destination, combined with improved flight capacity, should lead to a pickup in arrivals, mostly independent tourists, said Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta). He made the comment on Friday as the association hosted the Thailand Tourism and Mice Next 2026 fair. The ambitious forecast includes 9 million Chinese visitors, compared with only 4.4 million in 2025. Earlier this year, 10 Thai travel agents signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Pingtung county in Taiwan to strengthen tourism between the two destinations.

Source: Bangkok Post January 24, 2026 05:24 UTC