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Record travel rush: Thailand overtakes Japan for Spring Festival!
Chiang Mai becomes top travel destination for Chinese during Spring Festival 2026 - demand for air travel and hotels increases.
Record travel rush: Thailand overtakes Japan for Spring Festival!
The New Year brings exciting news for the tourism sector in Thailand. With the Spring Festival approaching, celebrated from February 7 to 15 this year, China is giving its workers nine consecutive days off. This has led to a surge in demand for flights and accommodation worldwide. The search for airfields has been loud VisaHQ increased by more than 60% compared to the previous year.
Thai travel destinations in particular are at the top of popularity. Cities such as Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai have overtaken Tokyo and Osaka as Chinese travel destinations. Sentiment among tour operators is optimistic, with aviation tracker Flight Master predicting an impressive 48% increase in departures to Thailand during the 40-day "Chunyun" travel period compared to last year.
Growing competitive pressure
This development is not without challenges. Bookings to Japan fell 43.7% due to ongoing diplomatic tensions over Taiwan. Chinese airlines, led by China Eastern, plan to introduce an additional 2,800 international flights. New routes such as Shanghai-Phu Quoc and Hefei-Kuala Lumpur are opening, and restoring connections to Phuket and Bangkok is also on the agenda.
In addition, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) expects a record 95 million passenger trips during the "Chunyun" period, an increase of 5.3% compared to 2025. For hotels in Thailand, this means an increase in average daily rates. In Phuket and Pattaya, operators are already reporting prices 30-40% higher than 2025 levels.
New options for travelers
The travel opportunities are particularly favorable for Chinese passport holders. You enjoy a visa-free stay of 30 days in Thailand and Malaysia. The conditions for transit through China are also attractive; a 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit through 65 Chinese ports allows international travelers to participate in travel within China without additional documentation.
Travel consultants recommend that multinational companies reschedule important business trips during this period or plan them after the end of February to make the most of cheap travel opportunities. However, as demand increases, it will become more difficult and expensive to book premium class seats to Southeast Asia, while capacity in Japan may be cheaper.
For anyone planning a trip to Thailand, the support of platforms such as VisaHQ and up-to-date information on changing entry requirements are strongly recommended. With a growing market of travelers and a lively exchange between countries, there is a good chance that Thailand will remain a popular destination in the future.