Tourism Authority of Thailand launches online travel portal

At the launch, TAT Governor Ms Juthamas Siriwan, said that the campaign would seek to achieve 200 million baht (US$5.3 million) in transactions from 20,000 online bookings on ThailandHotDeal.com between now and the end of August 2007.

The first phase of ThailandHotDeal.com created 80 million baht of online transactions for the six Andaman provinces of Thailand in the seven months to April this year. Phase two features "hot" deals from hotels and tour operators throughout Thailand. All of Thailand's travel industry is now being encouraged to place "hot" travel products on the portal.

Within the countries, the e-marketing campaign will promote both mass-market travel products and target niche interest consumers such as "metrosexuals", single ladies, expatriates in Asia, and visitors interested in cosmetic surgery, spa, golf, diving, eco-adventures, or buying a second property in Thailand.

Industry partnerships will be leveraged and the TAT will buy online advertising and search engine positions on global consumer websites such as Google and Yahoo! Twenty e-mail campaigns derived from internet-based customer relationship management expertise (CRM) will be used. The TAT will also launch a weblog award for consumers in October.

At the launch, Ms Juthamas said: "The TAT has always considered the online tourist market as a strategic segment for growth. The TAT is outsourcing its e-marketing campaign in order to meet the needs of that unique market segment. The 27 countries that lead the global ranks in online travel booking will be exclusively targeted."

The TAT Governor added: "ThailandHotDeal.com has been designed to promote a wide variety of general and niche products at 'hot' prices. It is an on-going initiative that will continue to grow. ThailandHotDeal.com will come close to reflecting the full diversity of travel experiences that Thailand has to offer."

Ms Juthamas invited the travel industry to submit "hot" deals to ThailandHotDeal.com. She said: "By 'hot deals' I don't mean those that will burn a hole in visitors' pockets, but deals that will burn a favourable impression in their hearts - so that they go home and spread the good word about Thailand to their friends, neighbours and work colleagues."

Over 100 hotel properties have already created special prices and packages for ThailandHotDeal.com which, as an online gateway, has been designed to drive bookings to hotels' and tour operators' existing online booking engines.

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