An influx of Chinese tourists is unlikely during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, according to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta).
The association said not enough flights can be added in such a short amount of time, while large tour groups are still awaiting an official announcement from the Chinese government.
Atta's president said only small groups of friends and families are expected to travel when entry restrictions are lifted on Jan 8, as direct flights remain limited, with prices much higher than pre-pandemic rates of 10,000-20,000 baht.
However, Thailand refusing to test arrivals from China for Covid should help market sentiment among that nation's tourists, he said.
"Many countries have imposed travel curbs against Chinese travellers," he said.
Tourism operators in Northeastern Thailand also have to prepare for Chinese tourists coming via the China-Laos high-speed railway.
Land transport could help Thailand secure at least 300,000 Chinese tourists from January to March, and 5 million by the end of the year, Atta said.
