A group of 121 Thai tourists arrived via Shandong's first inbound charter flight of the year, starting their six-day trip in the province. [WeChat account: sdswltwx]

Shandong welcomed 121 Thai tourists arriving on a charter flight from Bangkok at Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport on Jan 17, the province's first inbound tourism charter route for 2026. The group's six-day tour is part of a broader initiative to boost international visits.

The charter service is set to operate three flights every two weeks from January to May and again from September to December, with 48 flights planned. With the visa-free agreement between China and Thailand, the program offers various tour packages, including in-depth Jinan tours and multi-city itineraries covering Qingdao, Zibo, Weifang, and Jining.

This flight is part of a major expansion of air links between Shandong and Southeast Asia. In recent weeks, Shandong Airlines has launched new routes connecting Jinan and Qingdao with cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Kuala Lumpur.

The initiative is expected to yield positive results. Shandong is projected to receive nearly 1.7 million international tourists in 2025, a 46.6 percent year-on-year increase, generating $1.13 billion in revenue. The momentum continues in 2026, with Qingdao, Yantai, and Weihai each hosting large inbound tourist groups on New Year's Day, and nearly 50 Vietnamese travel agencies visiting the province for inspections and business discussions.