THAILAND’s travel industry is offering a mass of discounts in a bid to boost inbound business during the May to October low season. The Chiang Mai travel trade is the latest to jump on the bandwagon with its Best Deal campaign, starting July 18.
Jointly launched by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association and local tourism partners, the campaign will offer discounts of up to 50 per cent at more than 180 tourism establishments and service providers in Chiang Mai, through a dedicated website.
The campaign is part of the city’s six-month stimulus initiative to help fill 50 per cent of available hotel rooms, and follows the conclusion of the two-month Chiang Mai Golf Festival (TTG Asia e-Daily, April 21).
Sansern Ngaorungsi, TAT deputy governor for Asia and South Pacific, said the campaign’s target is to attract at least 50,000 independent visitors from regional markets.
The efforts by Chiang Mai come amid the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2011, with shopping discounts of up to 80 per cent available at retail outlets in seven Thai cities until August 15.
In addition, an Amazing Thailand Grand Sale Fair will be held from July 28 to 31 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok. Some 600 Thai tourism-related product and service providers will be offering discounts of between 10 and 80 per cent.
Also on the cards is a Pattaya Grand Sale, with discounts of up to 70 per cent on offer by more than 100 hotels and tourism-related providers until September 30.
By Sirima Eamtako
