Wendy Zhang/ Shanghai Daily news

Tours to Southeast Asian countries regained popularity, and as a result, price increases are expected, the Shanghai Morning Post reported today.
As of next month, Thailand will be the first Southeast Asian nation to charge more for tourists, with the seven-day tour priced at 2,400 yuan (US$289), up ten percent from this month, according to the Shanghai Airlines Tours International Co Ltd. The 2,400-yuan tour price covers all the charges, however, and tour members are not required to make compulsory purchases as part of their package.
 
The Thailand tourism board recently signed cooperative agreements with travel agencies in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou to improve the tourism market and rule out a damaging price war. The agreement has sparked the price increases, explained Wang Yan, spokesman with the Shanghai Airlines Tours International Co Ltd.
 
The peak period for Europeans to travel to Thailand is fast approaching, and is driving up the local hotel and air-ticket prices, he pointed out.
Hong Kong and Singapore are also proving very popular. From December 1, Hong Kong tours will see price increases, with the price of four-day tour rising from 1,520 yuan to nearly 2,000 yuan.