Friday, August 30, 2024 The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has forged a pivotal partnership with Nanjing Tuniu International Travel Service Co., Ltd (Tuniu), a foremost digital travel service provider in China, by signing a Letter of Intent (LOI). This agreement, aimed at deepening ties and expanding collaborative efforts, was officially inked by TAT Governor Ms.
Thapanee Kiatphaibool and Tuniu’s Founder and CEO Mr. Yu Dunde at TAT’s headquarters in Bangkok. The signing was witnessed by Mrs.
Chang Yumeng, Cultural Affairs Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Thailand. China remains a vital market for Thai tourism, with TAT targeting 7.3 million Chinese tourists this year, having welcomed over 4.
5 million thus far. The surge in visitors is supported by several initiatives such as the bilateral visa exemption with China, the commemorative “Nihao Month” marking 50 years of Thailand-China relations, and robust marketing strategies in partnership with key Chinese travel entities like Tuniu. Ms.
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said “Today’s signing ceremony marks a significant step forward for TAT and Tuniu in strengthening partnership. Now especially is the opportune time to enhance tourism cooperation to boost awareness for the upcoming 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China in 2025.” The LOI outlines an enhanced cooperative strategy encompassing data exchange, promotional efforts, and ongoing communication.
This partnership will facilitate the sharing of both quantitative and qualitative tourism data, mutual participation in travel exhibitions, and collaborative promotional activities designed to boost Thailand’s appeal to affluent and long-stay Chinese travelers, ensuring the country remains a top choice for safety-conscious tourists. “TAT has been proactively encouraging Chinese tourists to visit Thailand through a series of strategies, and this agreement with Tuniu will strengthen our efforts to bolster the capacity of Thai tourism sector in gaining access to new markets through digital innovation, while enhancing the convenience of travelling for tourists from China. Ultimately, this would contribute to our direction in driving the sustainable growth of Thailand’s digital economy,” Ms.
Thapanee added. Communication strategies under the LOI include ensuring consistent interactions, rapid information exchange, and regular updates to adapt quickly to new opportunities or obstacles in the tourism sector. Throughout the year, TAT and Tuniu have collaborated on various projects, including campaigns promoting Thailand’s health and wellness tourism offerings and a joint “Summer Camp and Family Tour” initiative.
An ongoing promotion showcases Thailand’s diverse travel packages. Mr. Yu Dunde, Founder and CEO of Tuniu Corporation, said “Tuniu shares the same objectives as TAT, that is to deliver a quality travel experience to Chinese tourists, fostering economic growth, and nurturing a sustainable and mutually beneficial partnership.
We are honoured to establish this agreement with TAT and look forward to working together on many more activities and initiatives to offer Chinese tourists the best of Thailand’s leisure travel products and services.” These initiatives combine Thailand’s extensive tourism resources with Tuniu’s robust digital platforms, which include a website, mobile app, and a premium customer database. Influencer marketing has played a significant role, with influential content creators and leaders sharing their experiences via popular Chinese online platforms such as Xiaohongshu, WeChat, TikTok, and Weibo.
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