This article first appeared in Capital, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on January 23, 2023 - January 29, 2023

China’s reopening was indeed a positive shock to the world after the country’s pursuit of its zero-Covid policy for more than two years. Removing quarantine mandates for inbound travellers is the last important mile in returning to normal — though it will still take some time.

The revenge travel and spending by Chinese tourists has already come under the limelight. News reports say that half of Chinese who travel abroad have chosen Thailand as their first destination, which is not surprising, given the popularity of this amazing country that has its unique attractions.

Being an important source of foreign arrivals for many countries, China’s 155 million tourists in 2019 reportedly spent more than 25% of US$1 trillion beyond its borders. In the same year, Thailand was the most visited international destination by Chinese travellers, with about 11 million tourists. 

And this Lunar New Year, domestic destinations are projected to top 2.1 billion, as this is the first time that many will be able to return to their hometowns since the pandemic outbreak three years ago.

Amid fresh outbreaks of Covid-19 cases, however, travelling abroad is not as easy as it was in the past for Chinese nationals. South Korea and Japan, for example, have imposed the so-called discriminatory travel restrictions on Chinese nationals. In a tit-for-tat move, China has suspended the issuance of short-term visas to South Koreans and Japanese.

Knowing the importance of Chinese tourists to its tourism industry, Thailand was quick to backtrack on its decision, which required foreign visitors to show their Covid certification. The Thai government — represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and several other ministers — welcomed the arrival of the first batch of post-pandemic Chinese visitors at the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport.

On a trip to Bangkok last year, I could really feel the “quiet” side of Thailand, especially in the city, in the absence of the influx of foreign tourists. The night market was less crowded, with most patrons being the locals, who practised self-discipline by wearing masks in crowded places.

With certain countries imposing different forms of restrictions on Chinese nationals, it is foreseeable that more people will choose to travel to Southeast Asia, including Malaysia.

The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents estimated that 1.2 million people from China will visit Malaysia this year, possibly generating about RM3.6 billion in tourism receipts.

Some hotpot chains in Malaysia targeting Chinese nationals closed down at the height of the pandemic but, recently, eateries originating from China have hit the streets again. For example, a Chinese restaurant chain specialising in suan cai yu, or sauerkraut fish — thinly sliced and poached in a rich broth made from chicken stock, fish stock and Sichuan pickles — have attracted the interest of many foodies. Feedback from the public has been encouraging so far.

As we usher in the Year of the Rabbit, we should eat more fish, as the pronunciation of “fish” sounds like “surplus” in Chinese, which also symbolises increased prosperity. 

Perhaps when Chinese tourists are here again, Malaysia can accumulate an abundance of wealth and prosperity.

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