Phuket Hotels Urged To Discount

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Phuket hotels urged to discount

PHUKET: -- The Thai Hotels Association (THA) will launch a Buy-One, Get-One-Free promotion this month to match the time frame of the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2010, TTR Weekly reports.

Phuket hotels are being encouraged to participate in the promotion.

The Amazing Thailand Grand Sale this year runs until August 15 and includes discounts at more than 2,500 shops, department stores and retail outlets nationwide, including the Central department store and Jungceylon in Phuket.

According to the THA, the association has written to all member hotels and resorts urging them to participate in the room discount promotion. Although Phuket has generally enjoyed better room rates and occupancies than most, if not all, tourist destinations in Thailand to date this year, Bangkok has been severely damaged by the red shirt protests.

“This month, the Bangkok hotels will average a 40 percent occupancy, but July usually delivers 65 to 70 percent. We need to be proactive on rates and take into consideration that the city is still under an emergency decree,” notes THA president Prakit Chinamourpong.

In addition to Phuket, the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale is featured in seven other tourist destinations: Bangkok Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Hat Yai, Hua Hin, Koh Samui and Udon Thani.

-- Phuket Gazette 2010-07-13