Chinese superstar Fan Bingbing has recently made headlines in
Southeast Asia, promoting tourism in both Thailand and Malaysia's state
of Malacca.
In Bangkok, Fan surprised onlookers by joining the Songkran parade,
Thailand's traditional New Year celebration. Riding in a
flower-decorated tuk-tuk and dressed as a Songkran goddess, she
attracted significant attention from the crowd. Her appearance was noted
by Elle Thailand magazine and sparked discussions on social media about
her role in the parade.
Meanwhile, Fan has taken on the role of Malacca's tourism ambassador
for 2024. During her visit in June, she explored the Malaysian state's
historic sites, including Jonker Walk in Chinatown, and sampled local
cuisine. Her presence drew large crowds of fans and generated
substantial interest on Chinese social media platforms.
Fan Bingbing visited the iconic red Stadthuys building in Malacca, donning a traditional Nonya kebaya, attracting hundreds of fans eager for photos. Photo Credit: Instagram/bingbing_fan
Melaka chief minister Ab Rauf Yusoh expressed hope that Fan's
influence would positively impact tourism in the state. The actress, who
has 63 million followers on Weibo, shared her enthusiasm for Malacca's
rich history and its connections to China dating back to the Ming
Dynasty.
Malaysian tourism officials are aiming to attract one million Chinese
tourists to Malacca in 2024, leveraging Fan's star power and Malaysia's
visa-free policy. In 2023, Malaysia welcomed about 1.5 million visitors
from China, with just over 200,000 visiting Malacca.
Fan's social media posts about Malacca reportedly generated millions
of searches on Chinese platforms, indicating a surge in interest among
potential tourists. As travel agents prepare for increased demand, they
can expect growing curiosity about both Thailand and Malacca among
Chinese travellers inspired by Fan Bingbing's recent promotional
activities.