Thailand's tourism bounces back
Tailor-made tour operator and retailer, Travelmood has revealed that Thailand is once again the number one holiday destination for its customers.
A month on from the lifting of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) ban on “all but essential travel to Bangkok and Chiang Mai” Thailand is back to its pre-April position of the most searched for destination on the Travelmood website. The long-haul favourite accounted for almost a third (31 per cent) of all searches on travelmood.com in the month of June, rising from 16 per cent in May.
Thailand became a no-go area in April and May 2010 when political demonstrations led to the (FCO) issuing a warning on “all but essential travel to Bangkok and Chiang Mai” and, at one point, “all but essential travel to the whole of Thailand.” The ban was eventually lifted on 31 May 2010 in a move which re-opened all the main tourist areas of the country for business.
“Thailand has always been hugely popular with Travelmood customers and earlier this year it was enjoying a 33 per cent share of all the destinations searched on our website. We are delighted to see that in just one month since the FCO ban was lifted, Thailand has bounced back to its February and March level of popularity,” says Clare Tobin, managing director of the UK TUI Specialist Long-Haul Division.
“The Thai hotels and resorts moved quickly after the political unrest abated, offering phenomenal savings and special offers to attract tourists back. As our figures are demonstrating, this strategy appears to have paid off and the great news for holidaymakers is that there are still great bargains to be had on holiday to Thailand.”
BANGKOK & PHUKET, THAILAND – 14 NIGHTS FROM £899
Set in a quiet area of the city, the modern Amari Atrium hotel in Bangkok has been stylishly designed with an impressive glass atrium lobby. Its variety of restaurants are good value for money and the hotel is conveniently located, with Bangkok's bustling centre just a shuttle ride away.
Stretching along the white sands of palm-fringed Kata Noi Beach, the Katathani Beach Resort, Phuket has something for everyone. Guests can choose from the beachfront suites in the luxury Thani wing or, just across the lane, the garden setting of the Bhuri wing, both newly refurbished in contemporary Thai design. The sparkling Andaman Sea offers a stunning backdrop to the resort's tropical swimming pools and extensive landscaped gardens.
Departs 16 September 2010. Including Travelmood’s ExtraValue offer of five bonus nights, prices start from £899 per person, representing a saving of £466 per person. The price includes four nights room-only at the four-star Amari Atrium Hotel in Bangkok and 10 nights bed and breakfast at the four-star plus Katathani Beach Resort, Phuket, Thailand, return economy flights with Thai Airways from London Heathrow and transfers.
BANGKOK & KOH SAMUI, THAILAND – 10 NIGHTS FROM £849
A stylish boutique hotel, the Majestic Grande is centrally located close to Bangkok's shopping and entertainment districts. The BTS Skytrain is within walking distance, perfect for reaching all the main attractions.
Resting on the white sands of Chaweng Beach, the charming Kandaburi Resort, Koh Samui has been elegantly decorated to blend in with the local culture and its surroundings and boasts arguably the most spacious accommodation in town. Just a five-minute walk from local shops and lively bars, guests can relax by one of the pools, be pampered at the Kanda Spa and dine in style.
Departs 27 September 2010. Including Travelmood’s ExtraValue rate reduction, prices start from £849 per person, representing a saving of £322 per person. The price includes three nights room-only at the four-star Majestic Grande hotel in Bangkok and seven nights bed and breakfast at the four-star Kandaburi Resort, Koh Samui, Thailand, return economy flights with Thai Airways from London Heathrow and transfers.
BANGKOK & PATTAYA, THAILAND – NINE NIGHTS FROM £869
The luxurious, colonial-style Marriott Resort & Spa Bangkok is set on the water's edge of the Chao Phraya River, amongst lush tropical gardens. Classical Thai architecture and cool river breezes offer the tranquillity of a resort within easy reach of the city's sights and Skytrain.
The Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa is a luxury hotel in Pattaya city centre that overlooks the beach and is surrounded by lush tropical greenery. The location is so central that guests are just steps away from the Royal Garden Plaza and some of Pattaya’s best shopping and entertainment. The resort's attractive design offers a sense of true privacy, space and tranquility that feels a world away from city life. The resort boasts three excellent restaurants, two bars, and a large swimming pool with Jacuzzi, tennis courts, an extensive health club, and the Royal Garden Spa.
Departs 30 August 2010. Including Travelmood’s ExtraValue offer of two bonus nights, prices start from £869 per person, representing a saving of £283 per person. The price includes three nights at the four-star Marriott Resort and Spa in Bangkok and six nights at the four-star Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa in Pattaya Thailand all on a room-only basis, return economy flights with Thai Airways from London Heathrow and transfers.
BANGKOK, CHIANG MAI & KHAO LAK, THAILAND – 14 NIGHTS FROM £1,049
Ideally situated in the heart of Bangkok, the stunning Centara Grand at Central World hotel is set to become the city's new icon for unparalleled city views, large infinity pool, world-class spa and direct access to the outstanding shopping facilities of Central World. For the discerning traveller, excellent dining is available at Red Sky on the 55th floor, a chic urban bistro with breathtaking alfresco vistas of Bangkok.
Located in Chiang Mai's chicest district, the stunning, new Kantary Hills Chiang Mai offers unparalleled service and facilities. Set to become “the” place to stay in Chiang Mai due to its sleek décor, the spacious all-suite studios and apartments have been designed to offer the ultimate in contemporary Asian living and come complete with everything the guest needs for both long and short term stays.
Located on the golden sandy beach of Bang Niang and close to the Khao Lak National Park, the elegant La Flora Resort & Spa offers the ultimate comfort in peaceful surroundings. The boutique resort offers a luxury holiday experience close to nature, with excellent snorkelling and diving just a short boat ride away.
Departs 3 September 2010. Including Travelmood’s ExtraValue offer of six bonus nights, prices start from £1,049 per person, representing a saving of £379 per person. The price includes three nights at the five-star Centara Grand at Central World in Bangkok, three nights at the four-star Kantary Hills resort in Chiang Mai and eight nights at the four-star La Flora Resort & Spa in Khao Lak, Thailand, all on a bed and breakfast basis, return economy flights with Thai Airways from London Heathrow and transfers.
FLIGHTS TO THAILAND FROM £395
Travelmood also had a great-value flight-only offer with Oman Air on fares to Thailand. Prices start from £395 per person, return based on a 15 September 2010 departure from London Heathrow to Bangkok.
For further information or to book, go to: travelmood.com
