Monday, August 19, 2024 The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has unveiled “Nihao Month,” featuring exclusive events and promotions from September to October as a prelude to the year-long celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Thailand-China relations in 2025. Renowned Chinese actor Luo Yunxi, along with Thai stars DaOu Pittaya Sae-chow and Mai Davika Hoorne, will make a special appearance at one of the highlight events. Mr.
Sermsak Pongpanit, Minister of Tourism and Sports, said “Thailand and China have enjoyed 50 years of diplomatic relations that have resulted in flourishing trade and closer culture and tourism ties. The ‘Nihao Month’ festival is organised to further strengthen the tourism cooperation between the two nations and boost awareness for the unprecedented celebrations each nation has planned to commemorate this milestone occasion.” Mr.
Sermsak led the launch ceremony, joined by Mrs. Chang Yumeng, Counsellor for Cultural Affairs at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to Thailand, and Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the TAT Governor.
The event also saw the participation of representatives from the private sector. Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said “The Nihao Month heralds the grand celebration TAT has planned for the 50th Anniversary of Thailand-China relations.
In this connection, TAT warmly invites Chinese tourists to come enjoy this Mid-Autumn Festival and Golden Week in Thailand and many more special events scheduled through the end of this year to early next year, culminating in the Chinese New Year and the 50th year festivity.” The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aims for the Nihao Month festival to attract 250,000 Chinese visitors during the upcoming Golden Week. Special events and promotions are expected to generate around 500 million impressions, further solidifying Thailand’s reputation as a top destination for Chinese tourists.
Kicking off in September is the “KOLs Mega Fam Trip,” featuring up to 100 key opinion leaders (KOLs) from China. This initiative aims to boost awareness of Thailand’s cultural influence and highlight five must-do activities through content shared across various online platforms like Little Red Book, Weibo, and Douyin, with an anticipated reach of 100 million views. The excitement surrounding Nihao Month is projected to garner an additional 400 million views, particularly through the “Amazing Thailand, Mid-Autumn Night” event, featuring a special appearance by China-Thailand Cultural Friendship Ambassador, renowned Chinese actor Luo Yunxi, alongside Thai actors DaOu Pittaya Sae-chow and Mai Davika Hoorne.
This event will take place on 17 September at Parc Paragon, Siam Paragon, Bangkok. In October, TAT will showcase popular Thai artists in the “Sound of Friendship Concert” at Siam Paragon, Bangkok, with performances scheduled on 5 and 12 October, complemented by a ‘Meet & Greet’ activity for lucky fans. Alongside these events, TAT will launch “Joint Promotions” in collaboration with China’s leading travel platforms, including Ctrip, Fliggy, Meituan, Tongcheng, and UnionPay.
Running from September to December, these promotions will feature special deals on airfares, accommodations, and travel activities, along with discount vouchers and souvenirs, encouraging Chinese tourists to book trips to Thailand. Additionally, from 19 September to 31 October, Chinese tourists visiting Thailand can take advantage of the ‘Chinese Passport Special Deals,’ a promotion in partnership with shopping malls, transportation services, duty-free shops, spas, and restaurants. Chinese tourists can unlock exclusive privileges, special deals, and lifestyle benefits by showing their passports at participating vendors.
Moreover, TAT is co-organizing two Thailand-China friendship caravan trips for 200 travelers. The first caravan, running from 22 September to 13 October, will feature 50 travelers and 20 luxury vehicles, including Land Rover, BMW, and Porsche. The route will span Laos, Thailand, and Malaysia, with the caravan entering Thailand on 27 September and journeying through Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Hua Hin, Chumphon, Trang, Nakhon Sawan, and Chiang Rai over 11 days.
The second caravan, from 30 September to 7 October, will include 150 leisure travelers and 50 vehicles from Kunming, China, and will focus on a route through Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Lampang in Thailand. China remains Thailand’s largest visitor market, with 11 million tourists in 2019 before the pandemic and a rebound of 3.5 million visitors in 2023.
With mutual visa exemptions between Thailand and China and strategic marketing campaigns by TAT, Thailand has already welcomed 4.5 million Chinese visitors between 1 January and 17 August 2024. This positive trend is expected to continue, with the country on track to meet its target of 7.
3 million arrivals from China by the end of the year..
