between Phuket and China’s cities than they are about the resurgence of the zero-dollar inexpensive package trips that were previously quite popular with Chinese visitors to Thailand.
Due to the few direct flights from China to Phuket and the fact that many tourists must fly to Bangkok before connecting with flights to the province, Rangsiman Kingkaew, a board member of the Phuket Tourist Association, told Thai PBS that it will take some time for Chinese arrivals in Phuket to return to the levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said that many Chinese enterprises, including package trip operators, have not yet recovered even though China is now allowing its citizens to travel abroad. He added that it might take a few years before Chinese tour groups, including zero-dollar, return to Thailand.
The deputy national police chief, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, dismissed the return of zero-dollar tour groups in the near future while pointing out that the majority of new Chinese arrivals today are families, groups of friends, or lone travelers who have higher purchasing power than zero-dollar tour groups.
However, he asked tour operators and all other parties involved to protect the security of foreign tourists, warning them of the industry’s fierce competition and threats from neighboring nations.
