Prizes pack domestic travel show

BANGKOK, 17 May 2013: Tourism Authority of Thailand hopes its consumer domestic fair Wan Thammada Thi Mai Thammada (An ordinary day turns special) to boost tourism during the up-coming low season.

The domestic fair opened Thursday and runs through to Sunday 19 May at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, Plenary Hall zone C, 1000 to 2000.

At the opening ceremony, TAT domestic market deputy governor, Thawatchai Aranyik, said organising the fair would support the government’s policy to raise tourism revenue to Bt2 trillion.

“The fair is one of TAT strategies to boost tourism in the low season and encourage Thai tourists to travel at other times rather than just public holidays and weekends….we hope it will spread tourism beyond the main destinations and encourage domestic tourists to explore secondary routes.”

He added: “We are focusing onThais who can travel mid-week particularly business owners, association members and retired people, workers on vacation, as well as families in Bangkok and vicinity provinces.”

According to TAT latest data, 80% of Thais preferred to travel outsides their own provinces, while 85% wanted to make repeat  visits to popular beach destinations.

In addition, Thais prefer to travel to destinations that are noted for a clean, fresh environment, places that have featured in movies and destinations that are linked to mysteries, spiritual or supernatural subjects and are good examples of rural lifestyle.

There were 200 booths at the show occupied by hotel and resorts, attractions, airlines, tour operators, and organisations.

The fair offers a discount over 50%, mainly buy one get one free promotions.

Show visitors who buy packages at the fair will get a lucky draw to earn a 50% discount or buy one get one free at hotels and resorts, while the first 100 people of the day who purchase travel products costing more than Bt3,000 will get tourism vouchers and a coupon to  enter a lottery to win a Honda Brio, a Bang Chak fuel card worth Bt100,000, airline tickets, iPad mini, cameras and other rewards.

For visitors who have a Kasikorn credit card, Bang Chak Gasohol Club and Diesel Club cards they can earn an additional discount of 5% and one lottery coupon when spending  more than Bt3,000 (only at participating booths).

Visitors using the Kasikorn credit card will get Central gift rewards—for a spending of over Bt5,000 they will get a Bt200 Central gift reward ; over Bt15,000 a Bt500 reward; and over Bt40,000 a wheelie suitcase worth Bt3,500 including credit refund at 15% by using points equal to actual expenditure.

TAT said the four-day event and the adjacent Thailand Travel and Dive Expo should attract 200,000 people and generate Bt200 million in sales revenue.

Sourced: ttrweekly