Starting March 1, 2024, travelers between China and Thailand can enjoy visa-free stays of up to 30 days! 🎉 This historic agreement, signed on January 28, aims to supercharge tourism and cultural exchanges between the two nations. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi called it a “new height” for people-to-people connections, predicting a surge in travel that could see 8 million Chinese tourists exploring Thailand this year alone.
Tourism Boom on the Horizon? 🌴
Searches for Thailand trips on Chinese platforms like Ctrip skyrocketed 7x overnight, with bookings up 6x. Thailand, a top destination for Chinese travelers, expects the policy to help hit its 2024 goal of 35 million foreign tourists and $84.3B in tourism revenue. Meanwhile, Thai foodies and K-drama fans (yes, Chinese shows are big there!) can now more easily visit China for business, travel, or spicy hotpot cravings 🍲.
Cultural Connections Strengthen 📚
Young Thais are diving into Chinese culture, from novels to streaming hits. With visa hurdles gone, cross-border exchanges could spark new collaborations in tech, trade, and TikTok trends. As Thailand upgrades its tourism infrastructure, get ready for smoother adventures—whether you’re temple-hopping in Bangkok or hiking the Great Wall.
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Visa exemptions will strengthen exchanges between China and ASEAN
cgtn.com