First Thai tour group arrives in Kunming in three years

The 30-member Thai tourist group named "Big Star" arrived at Kunming Changshui International Airport in Yunnan province on April 8. [Photo/Yunnan Daily]

On April 8, a 30-member Thai tourist group named "Big Star" arrived at Kunming Changshui International Airport in Yunnan province via Asia Airlines flight FD582 from Bangkok.

This is the first Thai tour group to arrive in Kunming over the past three years since the Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced on March 31 that foreign tour groups and "flight+hotel" businesses operated by travel agencies and online travel companies could resume. Officials from the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism greeted the Thai tourists at the airport.

The Thai tourists will travel for five days and four nights in Yunnan’s Kunming, visiting Xiyou Cave, Jiaozi Snow Mountain, and Dongchuan Red Land. After that, they will leave for Xishuangbanna and take the China-Laos railway to Vientiane before returning to Thailand.

"We are prepared to welcome and serve our guests from afar, making Thai tourists feel at home and experience a new tourism experience in 'Colorful Yunnan'," said Zhao Guoliang, director of the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.

Tour members are excited and looking forward to the trip. Chairawi, who used to be a professor of tourism, said that Yunnan is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and he plans to experience the culture and customs of Yunnan in detail. Another tourist, Gailavi, who is visiting Yunnan for the third time, believes that the rapid development of tourism in China has further connected China and Thailand as one family.

Yang Minshu, person in charge of the Yunnan Manna International Travel Agency, the tour organizer, said they had prepared flowers and souvenirs for their Thai friends who came from afar. The peak for inbound tourism is expected from October to February next year. "Thai tourists prefer Yunnan's cool climate, and the itinerary with snow-capped mountains is greatly welcomed. This year, we expect to receive thousands of Thai tourists."

Source: Yunnan Daily; trans-editing by Guo Yao