There are positive signs for the medical tourism sector as China will soon allow tour groups to visit Thailand, which will lead to more hotels reopening. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China has indicated Thailand is among the first destinations approved for outbound tour groups, while the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) confirms that Chinese groups will be allowed to visit Thailand and 19 other nations from 6 February.
It will take time for airlines to increase flights between Thailand and large cities in China to cater for a large number of Chinese tour groups, likely in the second quarter of 2023. Chinese tourists will also come via the China-Laos railway in the near future.
As airfares remain expensive. Most independent Chinese tourists in 2023 are likely to be those with high purchasing power. When tour groups are allowed to venture out, increasing availability of…
