Thailand’s tourism authority and several industry partners have
launched a Visit Thailand Campaign this year designed to celebrate
the 60th anniversary of the reign of the king of Thailand.
The $390,000 campaign to lure visitors to the country and its
Andaman resort areas of Phuket and Krabi includes All Nippon
Airways, Asiana Airlines, Thai Airways International, and PATA
Premier Partner Visa International.
As part of the effort, partners have launched a special Thailand
Airpass via Star Alliance, offering greater flexibility on fares
within Thailand
(www.staralliance.com/star/content/airpass_thailand.html) as well
as advertising campaigns, in-flight promotions and fam tours.
Visa is cooperating on joint marketing activities including the
“Visa Thailand Visitor Card,” an online program enabling
cardholders to redeem special offers through the end of the
year.
The effort comes even as investment continues in the country’s
travel industry, with Central Hotels & Resorts recently
announcing it has paired with an investor to take over Phuket
Islandia Hotel on Karon Beach in Phuket.
Central said it paid about $27 million to buy the four-star resort
with views of Karon Beach and will invest about $4 million to
renovate it and rename it Central Karon Beach Resort, Phuket, as it
seeks to expand its portfolio to nearly two dozen hotels and
resorts by the 2010.
Current hotel specials include one night free on a two-night stay,
room upgrades, and free welcome drink and fruit basket on bookings
by May 31 for stays through Oct. 6.
Meanwhile, Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts recently announced it
will manage the new Pan Pacific Chiang Mai, its second management
property in the country. Previously condominiums, the property is
being converted to a 300-room deluxe hotel set to open in
October.
