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Thai hoteliers hope for 'Amazing' results |
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| Bangkok Post: 29 Jul 2010 |
Hoteliers hope for 'Amazing' results
Low-season focus is on local tourists
Hoteliers are pinning their hopes on their Amazing Thailand Grand Sale campaign to help attract local tourists and improve low-season performance.
Prakit Chinamourphong, president of the Thai Hotels Association, said hoteliers expected sales during the four-day room promotion, starting today, will spur domestic tourism in the low season. The main Amazing Thailand Grand Sale runs from June 15 to Aug 15.
"We have to focus on the domestic market because political uncertainty has dragged down international tourist confidence. The Thailand Grand Sale should boost room bookings during the low season by at least 30-40%," he said.
The THA expects around 100 hotels will join the event. A "buy one, get one free" promotion from 1,999 baht per room per night will be a key to attract local tourists.
The promotion is set to attract domestic tourists, not international ones. Hotels in a short-drive distance such as Hun Hin, Pattaya, Rayong, and Cha-am, will benefit from the campaign.
The THA reported an average hotel occupancy rate in the first half of this year at 51% nationwide, up from 49% in the same period last year. The occupancy in the East of Thailand was 44%, the South 59%, the North 41%, West 56% and Bangkok 49%.
Meanwhile, Chiang Mai also hopes the second Chiang Mai Grand Sale will attract tourists and generate at least 500 million baht in the low season. The two-month event ends on Aug 31.
Aggressive promotional discounts of up to 70% are being offered by hotels, spas and tourism-related operators. The provincial government is now collaborating with the Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association (CMTBA), the Thailand Lanna Spa Association and the northern chapter of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), as well as the president of the Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce.
Chiang Mai Governor Amonphan Nimanan said the province had been affected by recent local political problems that resulted in a significant drop in tourist numbers and tourism revenue.
"The Chiang Mai Grand Sale 2010 is an important strategy to spur consumer spending after tourism operators asked the government to help revive the ailing tourism industry," he said.
Phunat Thanalaopanich, president of the northern chapter of the THA, said more than 100 hotels had joined the grand sale, up from 70 last year. Promotion prices range from 999 to 3,999 baht per room per night, including breakfast for two people. As well, a "'buy one, get one free" promotion is being used to attract guests.
"Average hotel occupancy in Chiang Mai is only about 10% now. Organising the grand sale at this moment will be good for the industry in the low season. Many hotels see positive signs because some international and domestic tourists have started to return since the grand sale kicked off,"he said.
Eighteen tour agents are also offering special discounts. The highlight for golf lovers is a fee of 1,200 baht (including green and caddy fees) on business days and 1,600 baht on weekends at all golf courses in the province.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/economics/188387/hoteliers-hope-for-amazing-results |
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