Over 30 travel operators offering special deals to boost Phuket travel for H2/2020
July 30 – August 2, 2020 at Parc Paragon, Siam Paragon Bangkok
Bangkok, 30 July 2020 – Phuket Tourist Association under the support of Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization together with Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) launch ‘Phuket…Ded Tang Koh’ (ภูเก็ต...เด็ดทั้งเกาะ) with aim to boost domestic tourism and to support tourism entrepreneurs after huge impact from the pandemic of COVID-19. More than 30 local tourism businesses including hotels & resorts, tour operators and other tourism businesses are offering special promotions from various tourism products and services held during July 30 – August 2, 2020 at Parc Paragon, Siam Paragon, Bangkok. Phuket Tourist Association is also revealing the details and lined up activities under the so-called ‘Phuket Model for Thai Tourism to Survive’ project believed to help boost confidence among travellers and stimulate domestic travel.
Mr. Bhummikitti Raktaengam, President of Phuket Tourist Association says that Phuket has zero new COVID-19 cases for more than 60 consecutive days and has been able to control the spread efficiently. After the lockdown has been lifted and Phuket Airport reopened to domestic flights since mid June, we have witnessed a slight bounce back in local travelling. Currently, there are 5 domestic airlines operating flights to Phuket; 12 daily flights from Bangkok, Koh Samui, Chiang Rai and U-Tapao. We expect that other flights from Udon Thani and Chiang Mai will resume very soon.
Phuket’s economy undoubtedly relies on tourism especially from overseas tourists. We have welcomed over 14.4 million tourists in 2019; 10 million overseas tourists and 4 million Thais with overall revenue from tourism reaching 480 billion Baht. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Phuket’s economy has been dramatically affected and devastated. Therefore, we are working closely with the government, local officials and private sectors to develop stimulus plans and projects to help over thousands of local businesses in Phuket survive. The earliest period we anticipate everything to come back to normal is Mid 2021”, said Mr Bhummikitti.
The ‘Phuket…Ded Tang Koh’ fair is inspired by our new campaign concept ‘เจ็ดทีเด็ด...Phuket Only’ aiming to drive local businesses and offering consumers with variety of products and services. We will be hosting a series of attractive and fun activities during H2/2020 highlighting Phuket’s Seven Bests; sight-seeing, sea, food, music, culture, souvenirs and promotions, creating new WOWs for Thai and Expat travellers. At the fair, Phuket operators such as hotels, excursions and tours are offering special deals, vouchers and packages at a very competitive price.
Mr. Narong Woonchiew, Phuket Governor says the pandemic of COVID 19 has undoubtedly affected Phuket and its economy tremendously. Phuket Economy mainly relied on Tourism, especially International Tourists. It is believed that Phuket has suffered economic loss roughly 1.6 billion Baht from quarter 1 and 2 combined. The loss will be unavoidably accumulated if Phuket still cannot open for International Tourists in some forms. It is urgent for both public and private sectors in Phuket to create a new game plan, to stimulate local economy and to attract domestic travellers to visit Phuket.
The event of ‘Phuket… Ded Tang Koh (Wow! Phuket)’ is created from great cooperation from Phuket Province, Phuket Administrative Organization, Tourism Authority of Thailand and Phuket Tourist Association, to offer domestic travellers great and amazing deals from hotel, resorts, tour operators and many more. We also create series of events and activities from August to December 2020 to meet with traveler’s interests and lifestyles.
The Event Phuket has prepared and make announcement is Phuket Tastival Seafood & Gastronomy : หรอยริมเล เฟสติวัล commencing on 15-17 August until September with series of weekend activities along the beaches of Rawai, Patong, Ao Chalong, Old Town Phuket and Choeng Thalay reinforcing Phuket’s recognition as one of the world’s best culinary creative city listed by UNESCO.
In addition, Phuket will host music event called ‘Plern Rim Lay’ Festival, an on-the-beach new normal-style music festival starring Phuket-born singers such as Gam-The Star, Non-The Voice and Chaleng Sam Fay (from famous local band Cha-Leang) at Sapanhin, Phuket City.
Mr. Noppadon Pakprot Deputy Governor for Domestic Marketing of Tourism Authority of Thailand says Phuket has become such one of the important tourism destinations in Thailand. The event of ‘Phuket… Ded Tang Koh’ (Wow! Phuket) will offer great opportunities for Thai and Expat travellers to meet new travelling experiences. Phuket has such perfect combination of international standard with unique tourism products and services such as Michelin-awards restaurants, most spectacular view and varieties of activities.
TAT will also take part of Phuket Tastival Seafood & Gastronomy: Rhoy Lim Lay Festival (Delicious by the Sea) by organizing Amazing Thai Taste Festival at old town from September 12th-13th, 2020.
