Bt999 Packages Lure Tourists To Phuket

[george]

Bt999 packages lure tourists to Phuket

A special campaign has been launched to entice travellers back to Phuket.

Under the “Never Before Never Again’’ promotion, visitors are being lured to the tsunami-hit island through heavily discounted deals.

For Bt999, travellers are being offered a special one-way ticket promotion from Thai AirAsia, a one-night stay in a four-star hotel or a full-course dinner at Phuket FantaSea.

The campaign is a cooperation between the Burasari Resort, Thai AirAsia, Phuket FantaSea, Ban Phupa and some 30 travel agents. It is valid until March 31.

Lily Udom-khunnatham, managing director of the Burasari Resort, which is participating in the programme by cutting its room rate by 60 per cent to Bt999 a night, said Phuket – especially Patong Beach – was still facing a sharp decline in arrivals.

“If the current situation continues, local business will be faced with long-term problems,” she warned.

In all, there are 17 full packages priced at Bt999 each which will enable tourists to participate in recreation programmes, including sailing, golf, horse and elephant rides, canoeing and rafting, and diving.

Lily said tourists were also being offered a Bt3,500 one-day package consisting of an Thai AirAsia flight, a stay at a four-star hotel for two and Phuket FantaSea show.

The tourism industry in Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga has been devastated by the December 26 tsunami waves, with thousands of international tourists switching their trips to other countries.

The Burasari Resort spent Bt20 million on renovations for its reopening last Tuesday.

The hotel is expected to fill 100 rooms during the promotional campaign – an improvement on the 40-per-cent occupancy rate it was left with a week after the tsunami struck.

Pakorn Panthawi, marketing and distribution director of Thai AirAsia, said the airline had three daily Bangkok-Phuket flights.

It is offering a one-way ticket to the island starting at Bt299, although the deal is limited to 5,000 seats.

“For the Bt999 promotion, the airline will give unlimited seats to travellers,” Pakorn said.

Saranya Charuvastr, Phuket FantaSea director of promotions, said the complex had just reopened its restaurant and theme park after a 25-day closure due to tsunami cancellations.

She expects the campaign will attract more tourists to the business.

--The Nation 2005-02-04

[fredthai]

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