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TRAVEL Daily is on location in Bangkok courtesy of Thai Airways International and the Plaza Athenee Royal Meridien Hotel where a huge effort is underway to entice tourists back to the country after its worst floods in living memory. With the capital and many parts of the nation now back to normal, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will kick off a “Beautiful Thailand” campaign to restore tourists’ confidence during the first quarter of next year. It plans an aggressive marketing campaign such as organising road shows and supporting key travel agencies in main markets. TAT said 175 tourist attractions were affected by the flooding, but all sites should be fully restored within a couple of months. Despite this, the Ministry of Tourism expects close to 20 million foreign arrivals this year, a 15% increase over last year. Hotels which lost 50% of their business are also filling up again with many in and around Bangkok offering great deals for visitors. For example, the 5-Star Plaza Athenee Royal Meridien has cut 20% off its web rates and is throwing in free spas and breakfasts until the end of Jan. “With our occupancy down to a low of 20% from the normal 80%, we’re working closely with airlines like Thai Airways to increase our occupancy levels, so if guests want to get this great deal, they should log on to our website,” said General Manager Chooleng Goh. Go to starwoodhotels.com/plazaatheneebangkok for details. Pictured above in the lobby of the Plaza Athenee with the hotel’s stunning Christmas tree is Sue Marr, Thai Airways Int’l marketing manager (left) and Chooleng Goh. |
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