KRABI, THAILAND – Chinese tourists sharply increased their focus on beaches around Phuket and other Thai resorts for the 2026 New Year, with Booking.com data showing triple‑digit growth in accommodation searches led by Ao Nang Beach in Krabi.
New Year boom
During Chinese New Year 2026, which fell within the so‑called Golden Week from 15 to 23 February, popular destinations in southern Thailand recorded significantly more searches from travelers from the People’s Republic. The festival period emerged as a clear driver of demand for coastal resorts and inland cities alike.
Chinese New Year was regarded in many Asian countries as one of the most important travel seasons, when people visited family, took short trips and traditionally spent considerable sums on leisure and consumption. This seasonal pattern underpinned the strong rise in online accommodation interest across Thailand.
Phuket beaches see strong gains
On the island of Phuket, searches by Chinese users for Kata Beach rose 232.66 percent year‑on‑year, while Karon Beach recorded an increase of 188.03 percent. The well‑known Patong Beach also saw searches climb by 110.53 percent over the same period.
Phuket Town benefited as well, with a 71.23 percent rise in searches. This pointed to growing interest in an urban atmosphere beyond the classic beach backdrop.
Ao Nang and islands in high demand
The strongest growth was reported for Ao Nang Beach in Krabi, where searches jumped 407.59 percent compared with the previous year. This placed the resort on the Andaman Sea clearly at the top of the destinations evaluated in the data.
Popular island destinations also recorded large gains, reinforcing a trend toward beaches with a stronger focus on nature. Koh Samet in Rayong province saw searches rise 319.41 percent, while Koh Lipe in Satun posted an increase of 274.42 percent.
Cities and inland regions
Beyond the coastal regions, Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan also grew significantly, with a 262.23 percent increase in searches. The figures indicated that Hua Hin remained attractive as a more traditional seaside resort within easy reach of the capital.
The cultural hub Chiang Mai in northern Thailand recorded a 234.73 percent rise in accommodation searches. Bangkok, the capital, registered an increase of 75.19 percent, suggesting that the metropolis continued to draw visitors even as beach and nature destinations surged.
Spending patterns and cross-border travel
According to the newspaper People’s Daily, consumers from the People’s Republic tended around the New Year period to spend more in restaurants, accommodation, transport, tourism, personal goods and entertainment. This pattern supported higher overall travel‑related expenditure during the holiday.
The National Immigration Administration, or NIA, reported 17.796 million cross‑border trips during the holidays. That averaged 1.977 million journeys per day and represented a 10.1 percent increase compared with the previous year.
Platform responds to demand
To meet rising demand, Booking.com expanded its platform so that travelers could plan their trips in one place, including accommodation, flights, rental cars, activities and airport taxis. The company aimed to position itself as a comprehensive service provider for holiday planning.
Additional incentives included early‑booking promotions for 2026 and the Genius loyalty program. This program offered benefits such as free room upgrades or breakfast at participating properties, with the intention of improving value for frequent travelers.