PHUKET, Thailand – China will soon become the largest source market for outbound tourists to Thailand, according to the Tourism of Authority of Thailand (TAT). Last year, around one million Chinese nationals had visited Thailand and TAT expected to receive 1.4 million Chinese visitors by the end of 2011. In addition, statistics from TAT had shown that the top five East Asia markets from January to May last year were China, followed by Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

To attract more Chinese tourists to Thailand, TAT has planned a series of marketing measures and activities, including relaxed visa regulations, new campaigns and promotions. For instance, TAT invited a Thai superstar to sing for the first time in Mandarin in a music video which features some of Thailand’s most attractive and iconic tourist attractions. The new music video will help to communicate a powerful and memorable message to the Chinese and entice them to visit Thailand.

“More Chinese nationals are travelling overseas as they become more affluent due to the growing economy in China,” commented Jarrat Beaumont, Group Sales Director of Castlewood Group, a commercial real estate developer based in Singapore. “Thailand has long been a popular destination for them because of its close proximity to China. They also enjoy the idyllic lifestyle and white sandy beaches in Phuket, Koh Samui and Krabi.

The 8over8 luxury hotel, a project by Castlewood Group, will be situated in Phuket, near the beautiful Bang Tao Beach and Laguna Resort. It will be scheduled for completion by the first quarter of 2013.