Tourism Authority of Thailand, Star Alliance, Thai Airways International To Support Visit Thailand Campaign.

Bangkok, 20 March, 2006. The Tourism Authority Of Thailand, Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance and Thai Airways International Public Company today announced TAT is to spend 15 million THB supporting the Visit Thailand Campaign to support travel to Thailand.

The campaign is aimed specifically at boosting visitor arrivals to Thailand as a major tourist destination, with particular emphasis on the Andaman Sea tourist resort areas, such as Phuket Island and Krabi.

The wide range of initiatives include launch of a special Thailand Airpass, ;a sales campaigns in three core markets [ Japan, Korea and Germany ] an advertising campaign; in flight promotions on all 16 Star Alliance carriers; a newspaper supplement; familiarisation tours and a video to run on all Star Alliance carriers.

Star Alliance carriers specifically supporting the campaign are All Nippon Airways of Japan, Lufthansa of Germany and Asiana Airlines of South Korea. Initiatives in these carriers’ markets include agency tour promotions, promotion of the Star Alliance Visit Thailand Airpass, media familiarisation tours, a lucky draw competition, internet based information sites, online newsletters and display messages.

Also supporting Visit Thailand Campaign is Visa International. Visa will co operate on a number of joint marketing activities, including the “ Visa Passport Thai-Thailand Visitor Card” an online offers programme enabling holders of a Card to redeem special offers from selected purchasers. The offer will run to 31 December, 2006. Visa will also support Visit Thailand Campaign through visibility on its websites and use of its Visa mark in sales and public relations activities.

The Visit Thailand Campaign follows a similar successful promotion in Japan throughout 2004-2005 called Yokoso Japan [Visit Japan] which helped contribute to a significant increase in visitor arrivals to Japan.

TAT Governor Mrs. Juthamas Siriwan said the Authority was grateful for the support from Star Alliance, Thai Airways International and All Nippon Airways of Japan for getting behind the Visit Thailand Campaign.

“TAT has worked hard to attract visitors back to Thailand after the tsumani. We are running a number of campaigns. The Visit Thailand Campaign will make a significant contribution through the participation of these leading airlines and Star Alliance,” Khun Juthamas said.

Star Alliance Chief Executive Jaan Albrecht said the Visit Thailand Campaign would make a strong contribution to rejuvenating Thailand, and particularly the Andaman area of Thailand, as a tourist destination.

“Being a frequent traveler to Thailand, I feel that the country has so much to offer. So, we’ve decided that this campaign should promote the unique essence of Thailand which capture the heart of tourists including the gracious hospitality of the Thai people, sports and spas, scenery and culture, shopping and the internationally acclaimed Thai cuisine.

Last year we supported the Yokoso Japan Campaign [Visit Japan] aimed at boosting visitor arrivals to Japan and this was very successful. I am confident we can achieve similar results with this campaign, Said Jaan Albrecht.”

Thai Airways International’s Member of the Board of Directors Acting as President, Mr. Somchainuk Engtrakul said THAI appreciated the support it has received from Star Alliance and ANA to boost tourist arrivals in Thailand.

“The tourism industry has been badly hurt by many unexpected incidents during the past years, and for Thailand, the impact was accented by the tsunami. The government and all travel-related organizations are making every possible effort to revive the industry and bring tourists back to southern Thailand. THAI has been working closely with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and initiated different promotional campaigns to improve the low season, working with hotels, agents and travel associations to boost tourist traffic.

This Visit Thailand Campaign is a welcome addition to the many other measures Thai Airways International and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, with the full backing of the Thai Government, are pursuing to achieve our goals, especially as this year, 2006, marks the 60th anniversary of the Accession to the throne of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. THAI, together with the thai people would like to extend a warm invitation through the Visit Thailand Campaign to the peoples of all nations to come and join us in our nationwide celebration.” Mr. Somchainuk said.

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