Hunan Province unveiled ambitious plans to deepen tourism cooperation with Thailand during the “Land of Three Rivers, Charming Hunan” cultural tourism symposium in Bangkok. Vice Governor Jiang Difei highlighted multiple strategic initiatives, including leveraging the 240-hour transit visa exemption and mutual visa-free policy between China and Thailand to facilitate youth exchanges and professional collaboration. The event saw concrete partnership agreements signed between Hunan Tourism Association and Thailand Outbound Tourism Association, as well as between Hunan Sanhe International Travel Service and Thailand Zheng Hao Travel Company. These developments follow impressive 2024 growth figures showing Hunan received 322,400 international visitors (up 187.7%), including 18,660 Thai tourists (up 267.6%).
Digital Influencers and Policy Reforms Boost Destination Appeal
Thai travel influencer Fai captivated attendees with presentations showcasing Hunan’s “five cultural tourism landmarks” – Zhangjiajie’s peaks, Shaoshan’s revolutionary heritage, Changsha’s urban vibrancy, Mount Hengshan’s sacred sites, and the ancient Chengtoushan ruins. The symposium emphasized technology’s role in enhancing tourism experiences, with Hunan officials detailing plans to develop world-class digital tourism infrastructure. China’s Embassy Minister-Counselor Chang Yumeng noted these innovations complement Hunan’s rich natural and cultural assets that already make it a preferred destination for Thai travelers. The province has implemented twelve specific measures to boost inbound tourism, with additional marketing campaigns planned across Southeast Asia and other key markets.
Strategic Partnerships Forge New Travel Experiences
Building on the momentum, Hunan tourism operators are collaborating with Thai counterparts to create specialized itineraries that blend adventure, heritage, and culinary tourism. The province’s 2025 “Year of Inbound Tourism” initiative will feature curated routes showcasing Hunan’s diverse landscapes while addressing international travelers’ preferences for seamless digital payment systems and multilingual services. As Jiang emphasized, “These partnerships transcend tourism – they’re bridges for cultural understanding that benefit both our peoples.” With aviation connectivity improving and mutual recognition of tourism potential growing, industry observers anticipate sustained growth in cross-border travel between Hunan and Thailand.
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