The island of Koh Samui in Thailand is currently experiencing a massive influx of foreign and local tourists, not least because of the visa exemption granted to Chinese nationals. According to Wiwat Chuenban, president of the province's Tourism Industry Council, this measure has made it possible to establish four direct air links a week between Chengdu, China, and Surat Thani. Another direct link has also been set up from Taiwan, which has led to a considerable increase in hotel bookings in the region.
According to information provided by the Chairman of the Tourism Industry Council, over 672 hotels saw their bookings jump during January and February 2024. No fewer than 25,000 rooms were booked, mainly thanks to the influx of tourists from China and Taiwan. The charter flight established with Taiwan enabled 188 tourists to discover the emblematic sites of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao during the Chinese New Year celebrations.
In February, Koh Samui also welcomed 10 international cruise ships, bringing with them almost 18,486 tourists and generating an estimated revenue of over 45 million baht. These figures demonstrate the significant impact that visa waiver measures can have on Thailand's tourism sector.
The massive influx of travellers is hardly surprising when you consider the many attractions this island paradise has to offer. Here are just a few of Koh Samui's must-see sights:
As the number of tourists increases, so do the number of high-end hotels and resorts. Some have even opened their doors recently to meet the growing demand for quality accommodation.
Visa exemption for Chinese tourists has certainly encouraged this unprecedented influx to the island of Koh Samui. By considering similar measures with other countries, the Thai government could give a real boost to the tourism sector, which feeds the local economy.
In the meantime, tourism professionals on Koh Samui can look forward to a surge in bookings that should continue throughout 2024. The current situation shows that global interest in paradise destinations like Thailand is not waning, and that it remains a safe bet for the international tourism sector.
