Singapore achieves 96% recovery rate for Chinese tourist arrivals
Singapore emerged as a frontrunner in revitalizing its tourism sector by successfully attracting Chinese tourists, boasting an impressive 96 percent recovery rate.
This feat surpasses that of its neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia.
Data from the Singapore Tourism Board reveals that the city-state welcomed 327,000 Chinese tourists last month, approaching pre-pandemic levels.
In comparison, Thailand’s tourism has rebounded to approximately 63 percent of its pre-pandemic levels as of February, while Indonesia’s tourism has reached about 48 percent in the most recent quarter.
Meanwhile, Vietnam reported hosting 295,000 tourists from China, indicating a rebound to nearly half of its pre-pandemic levels, according to tourism authorities.
Visa waiver agreement with China
Singapore’s proactive measures, including the implementation of a reciprocal visa waiver agreement with China effective February 9th, have facilitated the surge in Chinese tourist arrivals.
This move aligns with similar initiatives undertaken by Thailand and Malaysia, which waived visa requirements for Chinese citizens last year.
Chinese tourists extending visit
Chinese tourists visiting Singapore have extended their stays, spending an average of 4.22 days compared to the overall average of 3.46 days for foreign tourists.
Despite concerns regarding the city-state’s high travel expenses, the average expenditure per visit by Chinese tourists surged by 30 percent from the previous year, covering expenses such as flights and accommodations, as reported by Bloomberg citing Trip.com data.
Thailand’s challenges and advantages
While Thailand faces challenges such as security incidents and crime rates involving foreigners, it remains a highly sought-after destination for Chinese tourists.
With 41 Chinese cities operating direct flights to Thailand and nearly 11 million Chinese visitors recorded in 2019, constituting approximately 25 percent of total inbound travel, Thailand continues to exert considerable appeal.
Recent data from Tongcheng indicates a significant increase in air ticket bookings from China to Thailand, alongside a surge in searches for Thailand-related travel products, underscoring sustained interest in the destination.
Moreover, Thailand’s prospective legalisation of the casino industry adds a new dimension to its tourism offerings.
The Thai House is scheduled to deliberate on a new casino bill on March 28th, signalling potential developments in the country’s tourism landscape.
