Higher airfares hobble Chinese market revival. The average airfare for flights connecting key cities in China and Thailand remains 1.5 times higher than pre-pandemic prices, while for second-tier cities fares have surged 200%, which means low-priced tours cannot return, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Bangkok Post

Higher airfares hobble Chinese market revival

A group of tourists from China upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport. Somchai Poomlard

The average airfare for flights connecting key cities in China and Thailand remains 1.5 times higher than pre-pandemic prices, while for second-tier cities fares have surged 200%, which means low-priced tours cannot return, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said even though average airfares have decreased from last year, prices for March and April for every Chinese city are still higher than before the pandemic.

He said flights bound for key cities in the mainland are 1.5 times higher, such as 17,000-24,500 baht for Shanghai, 20,000-24,000 baht for Chengdu and 14,000-15,000 baht for Guangzhou.

Ticket prices for March and April have doubled for secondary cities without direct flights as the reopening only began this year, said Mr Yuthasak, with the flow of passengers still weak in the first two months.

In February, the number of seats from eastern China, such as Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Hebei, tallied 17,308 per week, with more than 10 airlines operating flights to Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai.

Of that number, Shanghai secured the largest capacity at 10,000 seats.

The average spending per Chinese traveller increased as the more expensive travel costs prompted them to consider longer stays of 5-10 days, according to Dragon Trail research.

Mr Yuthasak at a roadshow hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in China last week.

They prefer to travel with a small group of family members or friends and seek new experiences, rather than use tour groups.

The average spending per person soared to 60,000-150,000 baht per trip, increasing from an average of 50,000-54,000 baht prior to the pandemic, according to Dragon Trail research.

Mr Yuthasak said it will be difficult for tour operators to offer low-cost tours because of the operating costs.

As Chinese tourists' preferences have shifted from mass tours to individual trips or tailor-made tours, low-cost tours might prove unpopular, he said.

Mr Yuthasak said the structure of post-pandemic Chinese travel will see individual trips dominate the market, outpacing mass tour groups, which have yet to resume.

The TAT last week held a roadshow in three cities: Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou.

The agency expects to generate at least 900 million baht from business matching between 61 tourism operators from Thailand and 302 travel agents in China.