Tag Archives: China

Thailand bounces back with 35mn arrivals in 2024

Thailand saw foreign tourist arrivals jump 26% last year after the government eased entry rules and waived visas for Chinese, the largest group of visitors to the country.

An estimated 35.5 million tourists visited Thailand last year, up from 28.2 million in 2023, according to provisional data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. They spent about THB 1.67 trillion, up 34% from a year ago, local media reported.

While the tally missed the ministry’s target of welcoming 36.7 million tourists, it was close to the Bank of Thailand’s prediction of 36 million. The country had set a record for tourist arrivals and revenue generation a year before the pandemic in 2019, with almost 40 million visitors and USD 60 billion in tourism revenue.

The government expects the recovery in tourism to sustain this year following relaxation in visa rules for a number of countries and longer stays per visit. The third season of hit television series “The White Lotus” — set to air in early 2025 and featuring Thai luxury hotels — is expected to draw in more visitors with the legalisation of same-sex marriage being an added attraction for LGBTQ travellers.

The government expects arrivals to jump to a record 40 million this year and along with about 200 million domestic trips to generate 2.8 trillion baht in revenue. The sector accounts for about 12% of the country’s gross domestic product – although some estimates put it as high as 20% – and nearly a fifth of jobs.

Chinese tourist arrivals totalled 6.7 million last year, about 60% of the pre-pandemic record of 11.1 million in 2019. The two countries signed a permanent visa waiver accord last year to encourage more cross-border travels.
Tourist arrivals from Thailand’s other major destinations such as Europe, India and Russia have already exceeded the pre-Covid levels, according to official data. (Source: Bangkok Post)

China dimisses flu outbreak concerns, safe to travel

 

China has downplayed reports of a severe flu outbreak overwhelming hospitals, stating that respiratory illnesses this winter are less severe compared to last year. The Foreign Ministry assured that it is safe for foreigners to travel to the country despite circulating videos showing overcrowded hospitals. Spokesperson Mao Ning noted that respiratory infections typically peak in the northern hemisphere during winter.

Addressing concerns over influenza A and other respiratory diseases, Mao stated the diseases have spread on a smaller scale this year. The Chinese government has issued prevention guidelines through the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration to address the seasonal surge in cases. Officials emphasised that the government prioritises the health of citizens and travellers alike.

Reports of the outbreak have gained traction in countries like India and Indonesia. However, health experts in China clarified that such outbreaks are annual occurrences during the winter season. Severe cold weather across the country in recent months has contributed to the rise in respiratory infections.

Chinese authorities reiterated their commitment to ensuring public health and safety. While social media videos continue to show crowded medical facilities, officials maintain that the situation is under control. The government emphasized that international travellers should feel safe visiting China during this time.

India and China are key markets in Asia that require tourism exchange.

China extends reduced visa fee of INR 2,900 for Indians till Dec 31, 2025

In a significant move to facilitate foreigners travelling to China, the Chinese Embassy in India announced the extension of reduced visa fees until December 31, 2025, the Embassy said in a statement.

The single entry visa fee for visitors is INR 2,900, and INR 4,400 for double entry, continuing previous cost-cutting measures put in place last year.

For six months of multiple entries, the fee is 5,900 and for 12 months or above multiple entries, the fee is INR 8,800.
For group visas and official group visas, each applicant has to pay INR 1,800.

The notification came as India and China developed a broad consensus on the Line of Actual control.
The statement by Ministry of Defense, as part of its year-end review, said that India and China are on the road to restoring the ground situation in some areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

“India and China achieved a broad consensus to restore the ground situation in certain areas along the LAC. Both countries have been holding talks at diplomatic and military levels to resolve the differences in some areas along the LAC. As a result, a broad consensus was developed based on equal and mutual security,” the statement said. (Source; IANS)

China and Singapore are two busy sectors for business and leisure travel.

West Air to start Lhasa – Chongqing – Singapore flights on Dec 25

From December 25, 2024, West Air will launch the Lhasa ⇌ Chongqing ⇌ Singapore international route. The opening of this route will promote cultural exchanges between western China and Singapore. It is also the first international route to be added since the official renaming of Lhasa Gongga International Airport.

The route will be operated by an Airbus A319 with three round-trip flights per week. The outbound flight number is PN6425, operating on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, departing from Lhasa at 17:40, arriving in Chongqing at 20:30, departing from Chongqing at 22:50 (23:00 on Mondays), and arriving in Singapore at 03:55 the next day.

The return flight number is PN6426, operating on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, departing from Singapore at 04:55, arriving in Chongqing at 09:40, departing from Chongqing at 12:20, and arriving in Lhasa at 15:20.

To celebrate the launch, West Air will introduce special  fares:

• Lhasa ⇌ Singapore round-trip tickets as low as RMB 1,888 (tax included)
• Chongqing ⇌ Singapore round-trip tickets as low as RMB 1,499 (tax included)

Promotions will also be available on West Air’s official website (www.westair.cn) and TikTok live streams. One-way fares to Singapore start at RMB 350 (excluding tax), and fares from Singapore start at SGD 70 (excluding tax). (Offers are subject to availability. Prices may change; please refer to official updates.)

West Air is also offering a range of travel-friendly policies:
• 10% discounts for tickets purchased 7 days in advance for small group travellers.
• Additional 20KG baggage allowance for international students and immediate family members (available via call center 95373 or at the counter).
• “Baggage Beneficial Offer” product, providing a 30KG free baggage limit.
• Preferential fares for connecting flights through intermodal transport with Hainan Airlines and other domestic partners.

WTTC and VFS Global have been collaborating on many destination focused studies on travel and tourism impact.

Indian tourism sector to double in 10yrs: WTTC

The Indian tourism sector is expected to double in size to USD 523 billion in the next 10 years, according to World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) President and CEO Julia Simpson.

WTTC works with governments on issues of the travel and tourism industry, and is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of the sector.

“The travel and tourism sector employs 45 million people in India, and is going to double in its value. In 10 years, the sector is going to be worth USD 523 billion in India, more than double the present size of USD 256 billion,” Simpson told PTI in an interview.

“In 10 years, the tourism sector in India will be providing jobs to 63 million people,” she said.

India is one of the most beautiful and amazing countries in the world, Simpson said. Tourists and visitors across the centuries have been attracted to its shores and wonderful cities. India continues to welcome the world with open arms and the Indian hospitality is incredible, she added.

“Tourism represents about seven per cent of the Indian economy and in 2019 it was about USD 211 billion. Now it is about USD 256 billion and gives jobs to 45 million people in India,” she said.

“If you look at the impact of tourism in terms of the greenhouse gas emissions on India, it represents about five per cent of all India’s greenhouse gas emissions and that’s probably about 250 billion kilos of carbon (dioxide) every year. That is actually the biggest greenhouse gas emission in the tourism sector after the US and China,” she said.

The good news is that while the tourism sector has been growing, the greenhouse gas emissions haven’t been growing as fast, she said. That means India is becoming more and more efficient for travel and tourism, she added.

“We are also keen to talk to the Indian government to ensure that it is reaching out to the aviation sector to help produce more sustainable aviation fuel because we can’t really do tourism without aviation,” Simpson said.

“We need the aviation sector. We will have more people travelling by air and we need to do that more sustainably. And the only real opportunity right now is through sustainable aviation fuel. So we really encourage the Indian government to incentivise its production,” she said.

Asked if WTTC has approached the Indian government to take measures to ensure sustainable and eco-friendly tourism, Simpson said, “Well, we do meet Indian ministers on a regular basis, mostly at the big events like the World Travel Market, and I always raise these issues.”

“The great thing about the travel and tourism sector is that it employs high-end people like engineers, AI experts, technology, experts, financial and marketing experts. We also employ people for whom it may be their first job or it may be an opportunity to lift them out of an informal economy and work in a formal sector,” she said.

Almost 50 per cent of global tourism happens near coastal resorts and areas close to sea, she said. People want to see the pristine beaches and go for amazing water sports. However, coastal areas are very vulnerable to global warming, in terms of dangerous weather changes and rising sea levels, she added.

The WTTC recently released a report about measures to help protect coastal areas, she said. “If you look at places like Miami, they have been investing a lot in reinforcing their coastal area. They have good alarm systems and also build infrastructure that resists some of these very challenging weather events.

There are examples around the world on how countries can strengthen their travel and tourism sector, she said. “Tourists don’t want to see a lot of concrete; what they want to see is the natural India around its coastline, with beautiful natural beaches, flora and fauna.

“We would like to work with the Indian government to help restore some of the natural flora. One big message for India is about decarbonizing road transport as quickly as possible,” she said.

“I know Prime Minister Modi has made it one of his top priorities to try and clean up air pollution. And a part of that includes moving away from coal fired plants and investing more in solar and renewable energy. Under PM Modi’s leadership, India is going to be one of the most advanced developing economies in the world,” Simpson said. (Source: PTI)

IATA is the nodal agency for the global aviation industry.

Asia leads global passenger traffic growth in October: IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has revealed robust global passenger traffic data for October 2024, highlighting significant growth in Asia and India.

Asia-Pacific Region: Passenger demand surged by 17.5% compared to October 2023, outperforming all other regions. Capacity increased by 17.2%, with a load facAtor reaching 82.9%. This rapid growth underscores the region’s recovery and dominance in global aviation.

India’s Domestic Market: Despite a 6.1% increase in demand, India’s domestic load factor dipped by 2.7 percentage points to 81.7%. This suggests rising capacity but highlights the need for efficient optimization to sustain profitability.

China’s Expansion: Driven by the introduction of wide-body aircraft, China’s domestic market demand climbed by 9.7%, with a robust load factor of 86.2%.

Global Overview: Total worldwide passenger demand rose by 7.1% year-on-year, with international markets witnessing a 9.5% uptick. The global load factor reached an impressive 83.9%, reflecting airlines’ efficiency improvements.

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, emphasised the importance of maintaining full planes for economic and environmental efficiency, warning against passenger tax policies that could undermine decades of progress in aviation emissions reductions.

Implications for Asia and India
Asia’s prominence in driving global aviation recovery is clear, particularly as India and China emerge as key players. As domestic markets stabilize, infrastructure improvements and strategic fleet management will be vital for sustaining growth.