Bangkok Post – Chinese visa deal boosts web searches

In an effort to promote tourism, Thailand and China recently signed a mutual visa exemption agreement for citizens holding ordinary passports and those for public affairs, which kicks into effect on March 1.

Travellers from Thailand and China will not be charged to enter, exit or transit the other country for up to 30 days. The entire length of stays in any 180-day period must not exceed 90 days, unless they are staying, working, participating in media activities, or engaging in other activities that need official approval in advance.

Following the reciprocal visa waiver agreement, Trip.com’s data insights showed that search popularity for terms related to Thailand grew on its Chinese platform by more than seven times month-on-month.

Searches for hotels and flights jumped by more than six times month-on-month, with more people from Shanghai, Beijing, Guangdong,…