ATTA partners Dunhuang to launch Bangkok–Dunhuang charter flights

The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) is pushing ahead with a major tourism initiative aimed at strengthening travel links between Thailand and China, following business talks with the Dunhuang Tourism Bureau.

The partnership will see the launch of direct charter flights from Bangkok to Dunhuang, operated by Thai Vietjet, marking a significant step in expanding Thailand’s outbound tourism market into new high-potential destinations in China.

Direct Flights to Begin from 28 August

The Bangkok–Dunhuang charter route is scheduled to commence from August 28, with an initial plan of around four flights per week.

The new service is expected to make travel to Dunhuang far more convenient. Previously, Thai travellers heading to the region often had to connect through major Chinese cities such as Chongqing, Shanghai or Guangzhou.

Tour packages for the route are expected to start from around 30,000 baht, inclusive of travel arrangements, with more than 72 advance bookings already recorded.

Dunhuang Seeks Deeper, More Localised Travel Experiences

Zhang Xiaoning, Deputy Governor of Dunhuang Tourism, said China is focusing on creating deeper and more localised tourism experiences for visitors.

She noted that Thailand has strong potential to offer travel programmes beyond traditional popular destinations by combining classic attractions with niche routes. The partnership aims to create a “1+1 is greater than 2” effect, particularly for family travellers and younger tourists seeking more authentic experiences and closer engagement with local lifestyles.

ATTA Sees Boost for Two-Way Tourism

Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn, President of ATTA, welcomed the launch of the direct flights, saying improved air connectivity would benefit both outbound and inbound tourism.

“The launch of direct flights will make travel much more convenient, which will benefit both the outbound and inbound markets. Without direct flights, the likelihood of people travelling would be significantly lower,” he said.

Thanapol projected that the new route could help increase Chinese arrivals to Thailand by around 20%, while the number of Thai tourists travelling to Dunhuang and nearby areas could rise by more than 40%.

He said the figures reflected strong interest among Thai travellers in Dunhuang, a historic destination on the ancient Silk Road.

Dunhuang Positioned as a Strategic Tourism Gateway

Adith Chairattananon, Secretary-General of ATTA, said the Bangkok–Dunhuang route represents a practical strategy for expanding the Thai tourism market in the near future.

“This route will serve as a vital strategy that the Thai tourism market can realistically execute in the near future. Dunhuang is a strategic hub with high-speed rail connections to four to five major cities, home to tens of millions of people. Therefore, opening the Bangkok–Dunhuang market delivers concrete results that will foster a genuine tourism market,” he said.

The direct charter service is expected to support two-way tourism, strengthen cultural and economic ties, and create fresh travel opportunities for tourists from both Thailand and China.