Thailand Leads Chinese Tourism in Southeast Asia
Thailand has reaffirmed its dominance as the top destination for Chinese tourists in Southeast Asia in 2024, recording 6.7 million visits. This success is driven by visa-free policies and aggressive tourism promotion campaigns.
The Thai government's decision to permanently implement visa-free access for Chinese tourists since March last year has proven effective in attracting more visitors from China.
Meanwhile, Vietnam has emerged as a strong competitor, registering 3.73 million Chinese tourist visits, making it the second most popular destination. This increase is attributed to extensive promotional campaigns, geographical proximity to China, and relatively affordable travel costs.
Also read: Thailand Wins Back Southeast Asia’s Most Visited Country from Malaysia
Intense Competition in Southeast Asia
Malaysia ranks third among the top destinations for Chinese tourists, recording 3.29 million visits throughout 2024. The Malaysian government has implemented a 30-day visa-free policy for Chinese nationals since December 2023, extending the program until 2026 to enhance the country's competitiveness in attracting foreign tourists.
Singapore, which welcomed 3.08 million Chinese tourists, secured the fourth spot. The city-state surpassed Indonesia as a key source of visitors by implementing a mutual visa exemption policy with China in February 2024. This move facilitated travel for Chinese tourists, subsequently boosting visitor numbers.
Other Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Myanmar, are also striving to enhance their appeal to Chinese tourists by adopting more flexible immigration policies. For instance, Laos began allowing Chinese tourists traveling in groups to enter without a visa for 15 days starting July 1, 2024, as part of its efforts to boost the tourism sector.
Also read: Thailand Aims for 3% Growth in 2025 with Tourism & Exports
Tourism Impact and Lunar New Year Celebrations
With the growing number of Chinese tourists, Thailand’s hospitality and tourism sectors are experiencing significant growth. Hotels, restaurants, and tour service providers have reported increased bookings and rising demand from international markets. The Thai government also anticipates a surge in tourism revenue, estimating around 40 billion baht generated from Lunar New Year celebrations alone.
The Lunar New Year celebrations in Bangkok, held from January 27-29, 2025, are among Thailand's biggest tourism events. Although not a national holiday, the festival is celebrated with grandeur, featuring spectacular fireworks displays, acrobatic performances, and thousands of Chinese lanterns illuminating the city.
Also Read: Travel Update: New Rules for Visiting Thailand Starting May 1
The Future of Tourism
Competition among Southeast Asian countries to attract Chinese tourists is intensifying, with various strategies being implemented to enhance each destination’s appeal. Flexible immigration policies and aggressive marketing campaigns play a crucial role in this race.
Thailand remains at the forefront with its rapidly growing tourism industry, while Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore continue their efforts to strengthen their positions as leading destinations. With the right policies and effective promotions, Southeast Asian countries have the potential to sustain the growth of Chinese tourist arrivals in the coming years, significantly contributing to the region’s economy.
