Southeast Asian countries attract Chinese tourists thanks to visa-free entry.

Australia used to be a magnet for Chinese tourists. But visa requirements have somewhat diminished that advantage.

Conversely, some Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia have taken advantage of lower prices, as well as relaxed visa policies, to attract large numbers of tourists from China.

Johnny Nee, director of Easy Going Travel Services in Western Australia, said that during the recent Lunar New Year holiday, his company only recovered 40% of its pre-Covid-19 levels. In contrast, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia saw a surge in tourists from China, accompanied by spending exceeding even pre-pandemic levels.

This change is thanks to visa-free policies and the advantage of lower travel costs, food, entertainment, etc. This is perfectly appropriate given the current austerity measures faced by the Chinese people.

According to Mr. Nee, in Australia, the cost for foreign tourists, including airfare, accommodation, food, transportation, etc., has increased by at least 20% compared to pre-pandemic levels.

"The Chinese economy is not very certain, and Chinese tourists are considering the cost. This means they will prefer to go to easily accessible places and have a decent travel experience," he said.

According to data from the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC), during the 2024 Lunar New Year holiday, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Australia accounted for approximately 26% of the total international visitors, nearly half the more than 50% recorded before the pandemic. Australian domestic tour operators reported 2023 revenues that were up to 50% lower than in 2019.

Phuong Mai is a reporter for Travellive Magazine in Hanoi.

Phuong Mai