Hotel reservations searches analysed by the researchers placed Bangkok at number three. The city was only pipped by Taipei and Seoul which are closer to the Chinese mainland and are therefore easier to get to. China’s International Travel Monitor carried out the research ahead of China’s Golden Week holiday.
Golden Week is a semi-official vacation period which gives Chinese citizens an extended public holiday over the first week in October. With the ever-increasing affluence of China’s so-called middle classes, they have more ready cash to spend on holidays and many now choose to travel abroad for Golden Week as well as over the Lunar New Year festive period.
The report also indicated that more and more Chinese tourists are opting for sojourns in Thailand and bookings have increased by over 80 per cent during the past two years. Statistics released by Thai tourism agencies suggest that major hoteliers now derive up to one-third of their annual income from Chinese visitors.
Thailand readies for influx of Chinese tourists
News in Asia
A survey of Chinese visitors has revealed that Thailand is their most popular destination for the forthcoming autumn holidays. Figures collated by researchers show Chinese searched for holidays in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui and these were among their top 10 choices.