Tourism discount program set to launch

PHUKET: Phuket Province and the Phuket Tourism Association (PTA) are launching a “Phuket Super Save Super Value” promotion on July 1 to stimulate tourism over the low season. Phuket Governor CEO Pongpayome Vasaputi yesterday held a meeting with Kitti Phatanachinda, Vice President of the PTA, along with representatives from several hotels, to discuss strategies to bring in more low-season business. In the promotion, companies will be offering discounts of 20%-30% on a number of products and services including hotel rooms and tours. Gov Pongpayome urged representatives at the meeting to keep prices fair in order to ensure the program’s success. “Success depends on us and on being honest with customers,” he said. “In the past we had, for example, the Thailand Grand Sale promotion launched by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, which was not a success because some shops added 30% to the normal price and then offered a 25% discount. So it was still expensive.” To join the promotion, which will run until November 30, hotels, restaurants, tour companies, souvenir shops and other tourism-related businesses should apply to the PTA.