Chinese Travelers Cancel Plans to Visit Thailand Amid Kidnapping Concerns
Chinese travelers are canceling plans to visit Thailand during the Lunar New Year holiday due to concerns over the kidnapping of actor Wang Xing. This has led to a decrease in net booking volume for trips to Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, while increasing bookings to destinations like Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and South Korea.
Key Points
- Net booking volume for trips to Thailand fell 15.6% due to concerns over Wang Xing's kidnapping
- Chinese travelers are canceling holiday trips to Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia
- Bookings to Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and South Korea have increased for Lunar New Year trips
- Thailand officials are working to regain trust of mainland visitors after release of fictional film depicting human trafficking
- Parts of Southeast Asia expected to attract more Chinese tourists this Lunar New Year than in 2019
Pros
- Increased awareness of safety concerns for Chinese travelers
- Benefitting other destinations like Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and South Korea
Cons
- Negative impact on tourism industry in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries