Thailand and China: New tourism agreement for record numbers!

Thailand and China: New tourism agreement for record numbers!

Great interest in Thailand! The Thai government recently strengthened the tourism partnership with China at the “Amazing Thailand Networking Dinner” in Beijing on October 16, 2025. The Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports spearheaded a high-level delegation to promote the aim of the partnership: exchanges in the areas of tourism, trade and culture. Thailand aims to establish itself as a top destination for Chinese tourists and in particular to expand flight connections to popular destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Pattaya.

The importance of this market is demonstrated by the fact that China is one of the largest source markets for Thai tourism. One in three international visitors to Thailand come from China, and in 2024 the country received an impressive 6.73 million Chinese tourists, an increase of 91.7 percent compared to the previous year. This comes from reports from Thai Times out.

Strengthening cultural exchange

A central element of the partnership is cultural exchange, which includes both art and traditional cooking. The celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China will also be marked with various events throughout the year. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool has already announced cultural ties in the form of major Chinese New Year celebrations. These are intended to highlight Thai hospitality and adventure tourism offerings.

Another plus point is the visa exemption, which has been in effect since March 2024, which has significantly increased tourism and cultural exchange between the two countries. Chinese destinations such as Harbin have become particularly popular with Thai travelers, while winter tourism there is becoming increasingly attractive, thanks in part to extreme temperatures that offer a stark contrast to tropical Thailand.

Technological progress in tourism

An exciting aspect highlighted in the discussions is the integration of modern technology into traditional cultural tourism. From the perspective of the tourism industry, the development of digital innovations, such as mobile apps and e-tourism platforms, is crucial to improving the tourist experience. The expansion of air connections and improved online travel platforms will make travel planning easier for tourists.

Of course, the boom in tourism also brings with it challenges. Thailand is aware of this and has strengthened its strategy to position itself as a leading sustainable tourism destination. Measures to preserve the country's natural beauty and support the local economy are incorporated into various programs. The tourism sector is hugely important to the country, bringing in over 172 billion Thai Baht in revenue in December 2024 alone, with Bangkok as the main destination generating 940 billion Thai Baht in revenue.

With this in mind, Thailand remains one of the world's leading travel destinations, known for its cultural diversity, exotic food and breathtaking landscapes. The positive outlook resulting from improved diplomatic relations and expanded air connections gives hope for dynamic, sustained tourism in the country. Statista highlights that despite the recent challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand is more committed than ever to continuing to present itself as a safe and attractive travel destination.