Safety Concerns Among Chinese Tourists Affect Travel Sector
Chinese New Year Travel Plans Disrupted
Hotels and airlines across Thailand are experiencing significant cancellations from Chinese tour groups ahead of the upcoming Chinese New Year. Independent travelers have also slowed down their bookings due to rising safety concerns.
Last week, Hong Kong singer and actor Eason Chan canceled his planned concert, citing safety concerns for Chinese fans. This announcement came as Hong Kong’s Security Bureau sent a task force to address cases involving citizens lured into job scams in Southeast Asia.
Clarifications on Safety Issues
Natthriya Thaweevong, Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Sports, stated that Hong Kong security officials confirmed no Hong Kong tourists had been deceived or abducted within Thailand. Instead, those impacted were individuals hired to transport goods to South Asia, later lured into Myanmar via Thailand.
Hong Kong authorities have advised citizens to remain cautious when approached with offers of high-paying jobs. In response, Thailand has bolstered its security measures, with Tourist Police providing 24/7 assistance to visitors in need.
Strengthening Safety Measures
- Enhanced police presence in tourist areas
- 24-hour assistance from the Tourist Police
- Collaboration between Thai and Hong Kong authorities
Impact onTourism Businesses
Hotel Cancellations Surge
According to Prachoom Tantiprasertsuk, Chairperson of Marketing at the Hotels Association (THA), key destinations like Bangkok are seeing a wave of cancellations from Chinese tour groups. Unlike independent travelers, group bookings can be canceled with minimal financial loss, worsening the situation for hotels and airlines.
Decline in Tour Group Bookings
Pre-Human Trafficking Case Trends
Before the high-profile case involving Chinese actor Wang Xing, hotels reported strong bookings for Chinese New Year, with occupancy rates of 70-80% in Bangkok and 80-90% in Phuket.
Current Trends
- Tour operators have canceled charter flights to resort destinations like Phuket.
- Independent traveler bookings remain stable due to their flexibility.
Airline Operators Monitor Trends
Lion Air’s Observations
Nuntaporn Komonsittivate, Head of Commercial at Thai Lion Air, reported a noticeable drop in charter flight bookings by Chinese tour groups. However, the airline remains hopeful, given that Thailand’s visa-free policy allows travelers to make last-minute decisions.
AirAsia’s Concerns
A source from AirAsia highlighted a continued slowdown in bookings from Chinese customers, underscoring the growing apprehension among this market segment.
Government Efforts to Rebuild Confidence
Thai tourism stakeholders urge the government to act swiftly to restore safety confidence. Effective measures include:
Immediate Actions
- Publicizing enhanced safety measures
- Increasing communication with foreign tourism agencies
Long-term Goals
- Promoting Thailand as a safe travel destination
- Building robust policies to prevent future incidents
Government Efforts to Rebuild Confidence
The industry awaits clearer insights by the end of this week as businesses assess the full impact of recent events on the Chinese New Year travel season.