Labubu Devil Doll to Attract 8 Million Chinese Visitors to Thailand
BANGKOK: A devil doll with pointy ears and jagged teeth is expected to help Thailand reach its target of 8 million Chinese visitors this year, Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanit said on Monday (July 1).
Labubu, the campaign’s fearsome star, arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport in traditional Thai attire on Monday and received a warm welcome from the minister and fans.
The popular art toy is leading a million-baht campaign organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Chinese toy company Pop Mart.
Sermsak said the campaign would help increase Chinese tourist arrivals to the target after 3.5 million people visited the country in the first five months.
China was Thailand’s largest tourism market before the pandemic, accounting for more than 11 million of 2019’s record 39 million tourists.
But the number of Chinese visitors has slowly recovered, with just 3.5 million last year, prompting the government to introduce a permanent visa-free policy for Chinese nationals in March, since when arrivals have soared.
“By the end of this year, the total number of foreign arrivals could reach 36.7 million people,” the Tourism Minister added.
TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said Thailand was the first country to launch a Labubu campaign, saying the toy would also serve as a backdrop to celebrations of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China.
The Devil Doll will present five tourist routes under the “5 Must-Dos in Thailand” strategy: Must-Eat (Thai Food), Must-See (Thai Shows), Must-See (Thai Culture), Must-Buy (Thai Fabric) and Must-Fight (Muay Thai).
Labubu has a busy schedule in Bangkok from Tuesday to Thursday. Don’t miss his visit:
– Seafood dinner at Horsamut Restaurant on the Chao Phraya River
– Tuk-tuk ride to explore the beauty of Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and the Grand Palace
– Enjoy a massage at Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
– Visit popular shopping areas like Siam Discovery and Siam Square
– Buy souvenirs and watch a Muay Thai match at Lumpinee Stadium
The campaign is expected to reach at least 500 million people, Thapanee said, adding that it would promote more than 20,000 travel packages.
“We believe this campaign will become a trend and attract more Chinese tourists to Thailand,” she said.
Labubu’s Thailand-themed art toys are expected to launch in September or October.
TAT is also set to unveil a second mascot to attract international visitors.
Butterbear, the face of Thai brand Coffee Beans by Dao, will add more flavour to tourism campaigns starting this month. – The Nation/ANN
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