Thais favour China for Songkran post visa waiver
KTC World Travel Service unveiled insights that during the Songkran festival, Thais have been increasingly travelling to China, particularly Guangzhou and Shanghai, following the introduction of Thai-Chinese visa waivers.
Moreover, total KTC credit card spending in the travel category increased by 15% in the first quarter of 2024, with the travel agent sector leading in spending growth.
Pattheera Anandchotiphatchara, Head of KTC World Travel Service and Airline Travel Marketing, “KTC” or Krungthai Card Public Company Limited, revealed that due to the visa exemption measures between Thailand and the People's Republic of China, there has been a notable increase in travel plans during the Songkran Festival, between April 12, 2024, and April 16, 2024.
Members have shown greater interest in travelling to destinations within the People's Republic of China through KTC World Travel Service.
The 5 main routes for which members have chosen to reserve airline tickets and purchase other travel service products are Hong Kong / Taipei / Guangzhou / Shanghai, and Hanoi / Seoul, respectively. This shift contrasts with the Songkran festival in 2023, where Taipei City, Hokkaido, and Fukuoka City were the top 3 destinations.
Meanwhile, KTC credit card total spending in the travel category increased by 15% in the first quarter of 2024 year-over-year. The travel category now holds second in the total credit card spending portfolio, following the insurance category. Among the various spending categories, the travel agent, airline, and hotel categories hold the highest proportion of spending, respectively.
Simultaneously, KTC credit card spending abroad increased by 18% during the first quarter of 2024 year-over-year. The travel routes with the highest spending were Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore, respectively. Following the opening of the country, China has experienced significant spending growth and is now ranked among the top 10 countries with the highest spending.
