Thailand Signs Tourism Cooperation Agreement With GZL

Sanrasern Ngowrangsri, the director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand East Asia office, has signed a one-year strategic cooperation agreement with Guangdong's largest travel group, GZL International Travel Service.

The agreement covers charter flights to Phuket during the Chinese October 1 National Day holiday, the Asian Games Volunteer Messenger project, the banking industry in-depth travel project and others.

Due to the political instability of Thailand in 2008, the number of Chinese tourists to the country has declined sharply. However, after the Spring Festival, more and more Chinese tourists have visited the country and now the total number of tourists accounts for 80% of that for last year.

Tourism is a pillar industry for Thailand, contributing THB540 billion to the country each year. China is estimated to be the third largest tourist source market for Thailand.