Thai Airways defies Chinese tourist slump with global growth strategy

Thai Airways International’s diversified global markets are buffering Thailand’s national carrier from decreasing Chinese tourists to the Southeast Asian country, according to Chief Executive Officer Chai Eamsiri.

Lingering safety concerns stemming from news of a failed kidnapping near Thailand’s border with Myanmar of Chinese actor Wang Xing early this year continue to weigh on Chinese tourists. Wang’s ordeal went viral on the mainland, prompting thousands of cancellations as mainland tourists opted for other destinations.

In July, Chinese arrivals plunged 39 per cent year-on-year, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Overall visitors to the country dropped 16 per cent during the same period after the brief Thailand-Cambodia military conflict. The continued downturn in Chinese travellers could weigh on Thailand’s tourism-dependent economy.

Tourist arrivals from international markets like Europe, India, Australia and North Asia, on the other hand, are growing, the CEO said.