Travel sector eyes stronger connectivity
A tourist talks with a street vendor on Yaowarat Road in Bangkok in February. Apichart Jinakul
With Chinese economic growth at a three-year low in the second quarter, the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta) has urged the government to discuss agreements with Beijing to strengthen affordable connectivity and bilateral tourism cooperation during this week's official visit.Chinese economic growth tallied 4.3% in the second quarter, missing the estimate of 4.5% and marking the slowest expansion since the fourth quarter of 2022.
Adith Chairattananon, honorary secretary-general of Atta, said during Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's visit to China this week that tourism operators would like the government to use the opportunity to forge strategic partnerships with secondary cities and attract more direct flights to Thailand.
As domestic consumption in China remains weak, he said promotional airfares and more convenient direct flights would help sustain demand amid unfavourable economic conditions.
