Consumers snatch up bargains at TITF

The 14th edition Thai International Travel Fair opened yesterday attracting consumers who were keen to snatch up tour packages and airline deals valid through May and some until June this year.
The 14th TITF continues to Sunday, 23 February, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, but consumers in the know had already snatched up the discounts on airline travel shortly after the doors opened Thursday.
Presided at the opening ceremony, Tourism and Sports Minister, Somsak Phureesrisak, said the consumer fair was one of the most important events in the calendar to boost tourism both domestic and outbound.
“The event is also significant for ASEAN member countries to present their own products…it will be an important component to prepare Thailand for the upcoming of ASEAN Economic Community at the end of next year.”
Thai Travel Agents Association president, Suthiphong Pheunphiphop, said the 14th TITF was the first event of the year and could help to ease tension by turning people’s attention away from the political crisis to holidays.
“Besides Thailand, the key destinations promoting at the show are China, Japan, Taiwan and ASEAN countries.”
On average, booths are offering discounts of around 30% off standard rates.
There are 750 booths representing hotels, resorts, travel agents, airlines, cruise companies, car rental companies, theme parks and tourism organisations.
The 14th edition TITF sponsors are: TTAA; Thai Amadeus Southeast Asia; ThaiVivat Insurance PCL; Krungthai Card PLC; Kasikorn Bank; Siam Commercial Bank; Thanachart Bank; and AEON Card.
Kasikorn Bank cardholders, who purchase travel for a value of Bt15,000 and Bt50,000 will get a Starbucks card worth Bt300 and Bt1,500 respectively. For a spend of Bt100,000, consumers will be given a trolley bag worth Bt4,990. The first five cardholders who spend Bt300,000 on any day will get a free two-day, one-night holiday with breakfast at Ndol Streamside Thai Villas in Khao Yai.
Credit co-cardholders of Kasikorn and AirAsia will get an AirAsia E-Gift voucher worth Bt5,000.
SCB offer various promotions such as 0% interest on instalments for 10 months, and SCB travel insurance starting at Bt50 per person when travelling in the country and Bt500 for overseas trips.
Thanachart Bank also offers 0% interest on instalments for 10 months. For a spend Bt5,000, cardholders will get a Bt200-Tesco Lotus voucher, Bt25,000 gets them a Bt1,990-Nautica sporty bag, and for Bt65,000 spent on travel the cardholder gets Bt6,900 luggage wheels.
AEON Card offers credit refunds of 5% when purchasing through AEON Gold card on various promotions.
TTAA estimated the four-day event will attract 250,000 visitors and generate Bt300 million.

Sourced: ttrweekly