A delegation of over 20 Thai travel agents arrived in Qingdao for a two-day inspection tour, part of a growing trend since direct charter flights from Bangkok were launched last year. To date, Qingdao has welcomed more than 30 such groups from Thailand.

"The 'Qingdao tour' is now very popular in Thailand," said Liu Shaoweng, head of the delegation, noting that activities like seagull watching, visiting Laoshan Mountain, and exploring the historic districts of Qingdao are particularly appealing.

This reflects a broader increase in international visitors to Qingdao. In January, the city received 62,200 overseas arrivals, a 54.11 percent year-on-year increase. Key growth came from Southeast Asia: Thai visitors rose 370.26 percent year-on-year, Malaysian arrivals grew 268.24 percent year-on-year, and Vietnamese tourists increased more than 14-fold.

As of the end of January, Qingdao airport has established a flight network covering major Southeast Asian cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Singapore, and Phnom Penh, with a total of 86 round-trip flights per week. It has become the Shandong Peninsula's vital link with Southeast Asia, providing strong transportation support for passenger growth.

To further increase inbound tourism, Qingdao is strengthening cooperation with airlines and overseas travel agencies, organizing familiarization tours, participating in international travel fairs, and inviting social media influencers.

The city has also introduced tailored tourism products — such as pet-friendly tours for South Korean visitors and cycling routes — and improved services, including multilingual support and convenient payment systems at key attractions, ensuring a welcoming and seamless experience for all international guests.

A delegation of over 20 Thai travel agents arrives in Qingdao for a two-day inspection tour. [Photo by Li Yuxin/WeChat account: qd12301]