China’s Guizhou Province Expands Tourism Collaboration with Bangkok, Thailand Through New Agreements Focused on Cross-Border Travel

In a landmark effort to deepen cultural ties and expand regional tourism, Guizhou Province of China and the Kingdom of Thailand came together in Bangkok on May 16, 2025, for the China (Guizhou) – Thailand Cultural and Tourism Business Meeting. This high-level forum marked a strategic step toward mutual tourism development, with both sides aligning on shared goals to expand visitor flow, promote iconic destinations, and foster international collaboration.

Organized in the spirit of friendship and regional prosperity, the event brought together tourism authorities, business associations, and stakeholders from both nations. The result: actionable agreements aimed at driving real results—not just symbolic gestures. A joint memorandum of understanding was signed between key tourism bodies, laying the groundwork for a long-term, mutually beneficial tourism ecosystem between Southwest China and Southeast Asia.

With Guizhou’s tourism economy on the rise and Thailand’s global travel network playing a critical role in outbound Asia tourism, this meeting positions both parties for substantial growth in 2025 and beyond.

Key Agreements and Highlights from the Meeting

Guizhou extended an official invitation for Thailand to become a Global Partner of Colorful Guizhou, a cultural tourism initiative backed by the province.
The Guizhou Travel Association signed an MoU with the Thailand Tourism Association to:
- Jointly promote tourism resources
- Integrate cross-border markets
- Co-develop new tourism services and packages
A second agreement was made between the Guizhou Travel Association Inbound Tourism Branch and the Thai Travel Agents Association, reinforcing on-the-ground execution.
Focus areas include:
- Reciprocal destination marketing
- Seamless travel incentives for visitors
- Shared tourism infrastructure strategies

Spotlight on Guizhou: A Rising Destination for Thai Travelers

Tour operators from Thailand expressed strong interest in Guizhou’s natural attractions, particularly the Huangguoshu Waterfall, one of the largest waterfalls in Asia. This natural wonder is seen as a key draw for Thai tourists and a starting point for curated travel itineraries throughout the province.

Guizhou’s tourism representatives emphasized the region’s existing travel incentive programs, including subsidies for group travel, seasonal marketing support, and partnerships with hospitality providers. Thai agencies are now exploring ways to leverage these offers to bring more visitors into China’s culturally rich southwestern heartland.

PATA Applauds Regional Cooperation

Adding weight to the event was the participation of Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). In his remarks, Hamid praised Guizhou’s:

Exceptional natural landscapes
Rich ethnic culture
Strong commitment to international hospitality

He reaffirmed PATA’s interest in partnering with the Guizhou Provincial Government to further global visibility and attract tourists from across Asia, Europe, and beyond.

“Guizhou offers the kind of immersive cultural and ecological experience today’s travelers crave,” Hamid said. “PATA sees this region as a rising star in Asian tourism.”

Cultural Diplomacy Meets Real Opportunity

The meeting coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand, underlining the political and cultural momentum behind this initiative. With tourism playing an increasingly strategic role in bilateral relations, this business meeting is more than ceremonial—it’s a launchpad for real-world outcomes.

The cooperation supports China’s broader goal of enhancing people-to-people exchanges under its Belt and Road Initiative, while also aligning with Thailand’s post-pandemic strategy to diversify inbound tourism sources.

Regional Tourism Corridor: A Vision for Southeast Asia

Part of the broader strategy discussed at the meeting includes the development of a regional tourism corridor linking:

Hong Kong
Macao
Shenzhen
Guangzhou
Guilin
Guiyang
Kunming
Bangkok

This corridor is designed to create a fluid, multi-destination travel route that enhances tourist mobility across key urban and cultural hubs in Southern China and Southeast Asia. It supports everything from infrastructure planning to cultural programming, ultimately building a connected tourism economy.

Looking Ahead: Shared Growth Through Cultural Tourism

By focusing on market integration, co-promotion, and shared infrastructure, the Guizhou–Thailand partnership stands as a model for regional tourism collaboration. Both sides are working to build scalable, replicable frameworks that can be expanded to other Asian partners in the near future.

As this collaboration moves from agreement to execution, Guizhou and Thailand aim to: