The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Visa International (Visa) are strengthening their alliance by cooking up a nationwide premium food festival with the launch of Thailand Splash and Spice 2013. The campaign offers a feast of promotions for the millions of travelers who will be celebrating the Thai New Year water festival.
The three month campaign which kicks off on March 15 and ends on May 31, builds on the success of last year’s inaugural campaign and celebrates the country’s best hotels, restaurants and cuisine. This year the cities of Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket are joining Bangkok to provide a truly nationwide opportunity for all travelers to enjoy the great promotions and benefits.
Thailand’s tourism industry is expected to grow this year with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) predicting that tourist arrivals to Thailand will top last year’s 22 million. MOTS reported strong growth figures in 2013 as the number of international visitors climbed to over 2.2 million which was an increase year on year of over 12 per cent[1].
“We are delighted to be working alongside Visa on this exciting campaign, which will showcase Thai food at its best to a worldwide audience. The variety and unique flavors of Thai food has won fans from around the world and is one of the great draws of foreign tourists to Thailand. This Dining Extravaganza will also showcase great reasons to visit Thailand during the traditional low season,” said Surapol Svetasreni, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
The launch of the festival strengthens Visa’s long-term alliance with TAT and underlines the collaborative strength from TAT’s international network of offices and Visa’s database of two billion cardholders[2]. Visa’s marketing ability both domestically and internationally can drive tourists to the TAT’s events with Visa data reporting strong growth in Thailand among cardholders from Russia, Japan and China. Across the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2012, spending by domestic and international Visa cardholders grew 7 percent[3] (at merchants in Thailand; compared to the same period the previous year).
Somboon Krobteeranon, Visa Country Manager, Myanmar and Thailand, said, “More and more tourists come to Thailand to enjoy our world renowned Thai New Year festival we are delighted to be able to support the tourism authority and connect cardholders — both Thai and international - with special offers at the country’s most sought after restaurants, hotels and shopping outlets. Visa is committed to assisting with the TAT, supporting the tourist industry with a variety of campaigns throughout the year and this great range of hotel and restaurant deals will give visitors to Thailand the opportunity to have a better holiday experience wherever they visit.”
At the launch of the Thailand Splash and Spice 2013 in Bangkok, top international chefs from leading hotels will be gathered to show off their skills and recipes. Each chef will create a signature Thai dish as the public snap up special introductory Thailand Splash and Spice offers. Thailand Splash and Spice is an annual event created to highlight Thailand as one of the top countries in the world for its variety and quality of food and to support and drive additional revenue to the hospitality industry during the summer season in Thailand.
Thailand Splash and Spice 2013 Offers and Promotions Highlights:
Accommodations:
- 57 participating five-star hotels, such as St Regis, Le Meridien Anantara Bangkok Sathorn, Rambrandt Hotel, Dusit Thani (Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket) , Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, Hotel Muse, Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa, Royal Orchid Sheraton, Four Seasons (Bangkok and Chiangmai), and Sri Panwa Phuket, will be offering special packages including accommodation and lunch or dinner, to showcase the best of what the country has to offer.
Dining:
- In Bangkok, tourists and Thais can enjoy top class set menus at premium hotels from starting only 749 baht++ for lunch and 1,499 baht++ for dinner or special discount. Similar promotions will run at hotels in Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Phuket.
- In each location, a collection of high class restaurants has been selected and will be promoted as a ‘Must Visit’ for any food lover. The restaurants in the collection will offer special discounts of 10 per cent or more or complimentary gifts to diners.
Dine in Mall:
- Both Thai and international Visa cardholders are entitled to free drink redemption at Aunties Anne outlets including Central World; Terminal 21; and mega Bangna, upon every 500 baht spent on Visa at various restaurants in leading shopping malls.
- Over 30 dining outlets at Suvarnabhumi International Airport will offer discounts of 10 per cent providing tourists with a welcome treat.
[1] http://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2013/02/january-travel-strong-for-thailand/
[2] As reported by client financial institutions and therefore may be subject to change; includes ATMs in the Visa Europe territory.
[3] VisaNet (15th Jun — 15th Aug 2012/11)