To run all the way from 15 November, 2013, to 31 January, 2014, the “Thailand Spectacular Year End" campaign will, for the first time, see TAT join hands with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Airports of Thailand and VISA International (Asia-Pacific) to ensure that visitors have a wonderful time from arrival to departure.
Details of the campaign were announced at a press conference today by Mrs. Vilaiwan Twichasri, TAT Deputy Governor for Tourism Products and Business, along with Mr. Sirote Duangratana, Senior Advisor 11, Airports of Thailand, Mr. Amorn Kitchawengkul, Deputy Governor of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administrator, and Mr. Somboon Krobteeranon, VISA Country Manager Myanmar, Thailand.
Thai and foreign tourists will experience the rich decorations put up around the country for the festive season, enjoy a colourful welcome at all of Thailand’s international airports, and equally vibrant and cheerful atmosphere at their accommodation and tourist attractions and shopping centres nationwide.
Decorative lighting will be used to beautify the main tourist attractions in Bangkok; such as, Ratchaprasong Road, Sukhumvit Road, Asiatique the Riverfront, etc. Leading department stores and shopping centres like Siam Paragon and Central Chidlom, CentralWorld, Siam Discovery, Siam Centre and many others will support the campaign by offering attractive shopping benefits to tourists during the year-end sale.
Mrs. Vilaiwan said, “The year-end holiday season in Thailand actually begins on 15 November with the charming Loi Krathong cultural festivities, then continues through to the first half of December with His Majesty the King’s Birthday and Constitution Day holidays and then extends through to the Christmas-New Year period with the spectacular countdown.
“This year, for the first time, we decided to get off to an early start so that visitors can have a good time regardless of when they come. The campaign is built around the three most popular tourist activities: eat and drink, shop and visit new places.”
Participating department stores, shopping centres, supermarkets, and hotels in Thailand will be offering gift baskets and accommodation packages for tourists. Visitors will also be able to avail of extensive shopping bargains and lucky draws.
"Drop in Thailand” is another activity designed to enhance the visitor experience. They can share their photos while travelling and shopping in Thailand through social media; such as, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with the hash tag #ThailandSpectacularYearEnd or #tourismthailand. In addition, tourists can also share their photos through the Fanpage of “Amazing Thailand”, and other partners; such as, the AOT, BMA, AirAsia, True, and DTAC to get a souvenir at the end of the project.
A gift basket festival will run from 15 November, 2013 — 15 January, 2014, with participating department stores and shopping malls including Gaysorn Plaza, Siam Paragon, The Emporium, The Mall Department Stores, Robinson Department Stores and Thai products shops; such as, Jim Thompson, HARNN, Villa Market, and Gourmet Market. Hotels, for example, Centara, Four Seasons, Renaissance, Siam Kempinski, Le Meridien, Westin, Centre Point, Holiday Inn, etc. will offer gift sets and accommodation packages with food
Finally, tourists who spend over 5,000 Baht per person at participating hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions and department stores can show their receipts at the VISA card booth at the departure lounge of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports and redeem one gift of their choice (up to a maximum of two gifts per person). The booth will be decorated in the shape of a large gift box and offer a choice of over 50,000 gifts.
Mrs. Vilaiwan said, “We expect this project will increase tourist spending by 20% over the average spending via VISA card in the past. Visitors can find lots more information on the website www.tourismthailand.org”.
At the press conference, TAT and VISA International (Asia-Pacific) also presented the award for the lucky-draw winners of the “Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2013” held in June 2013. The local winner is Ms. Chomphunoot AimSaad who received a one-million Baht shopping voucher. The foreign winner of the Amazing 30 days in Thailand package prize is Mr. Abdulla Habeeb of the Maldives in Sri Lanka.
In 2012, Thailand attracted 22.35 million international visitors, up 16.24% over 2011. Their expenditure generated a total of 983 billion Baht or US$31.65 billion (based on the exchange rate of 31.08 Baht to the USD) in foreign exchange revenue. Average daily expenditure in 2012 was 4,392 Baht per person (US$141) over an average length of stay of 10 days.
According to the Ministry of Sports and Tourism figures, 30% (1,311 Baht) of the average daily expenditure in 2012 was on accommodation, 24% (1,048 Baht) on shopping, 18% (821 Baht) on food and beverage, 12% (522 Baht) on entertainment, 10% (451 Baht) on local transportation, 4% (171 Baht) on sightseeing, and 2% (66 Baht) on miscellaneous items.
In 2013, TAT is confident that if the global, regional and local situation remains stable, Thailand will receive 26.26 million arrivals, generating a projected tourism income of 1.18 trillion Baht. For 2014, TAT has set a target of 28 million visitors, expected to generate a projected a growth of 13% for tourism income to 1.32 trillion Baht.