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“Thai Airways flies to 61 destinations in 33 countries from its Bangkok hub. It is part of Star Alliance and our customers can redeem air miles with the Royal Orchid Plus scheme”
TIM BEEK, SENIOR AREA SALES EXECUTIVE UK & IRELAND, THAI AIRWAYS
WHAT: THAILAND DESTINATION DIALOGUE WHERE: THE MARRIOTT GLASGOW, THE RENAISSANCE MANCHESTER WHO: TAT, THAI AIRWAYS & PARTNERS WHEN: MAY 19/20, 2015 WHY: AN UPDATE ON THAI PRODUCT AND THE LAUNCH OF OUR NEW THAILAND GUIDE
Are there any festivals which I can recommend to my clients? Festivals are a great way to see a country and engage with the local community. I recommend Loi Krathong, which sees beautiful fl ower arrangements and paper lanterns lighting the night skies, and Songkran, or New Year, which in Thailand consists of huge water fi ghts.
Should I be selling elephant rides? An elephant shouldn’t have more than 90 kilos on its back so we don’t promote riding. Book a reputable camp where you can feed and wash the elephants instead, such as the luxury tented camp Elephant Hills in Khao Sok National Park.
Pattaya often has a bad reputation, should I sell it? Contrary to some people’s beliefs, Northern Pattaya is actually great for families and is the closest resort to Bangkok Airport. It is home to the country’s most popular family hotel for the UK market, the Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort.
Bay Residence and Suites Krabi features spacious accommodation with rooms starting from 81 square metres and private balconies overlooking the pool or facing the sea. The hotel is located close to the secluded Klong Muang Beach. BANYAN TREE: The luxury resort’s Phuket resort is currently being refurbished and when it completes in September will see the addition of a pool to every villa. DUSIT THANI: From July 1, the Sheraton Krabi will rebrand as Dusit Thani Krabi Beach Resort. Located on the secluded Klong Muang Beach, the resort offers 240 spacious guest rooms, three restaurants, a bar, two
beachfront swimming pools, a spa, gym and kids club. KURTZ-AHLERS UK: The rep company was showcasing the Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai, which offers spacious, luxurious rooms with acclaimed restaurants and a spa, and the Siam in Bangkok, a 39-room riverside retreat offering private pool villas with rooftop terraces. Its Koh Samui-based spa resort, Kamalaya, has added 16 new superior suites with more space and amazing views. ANAND COLLECTION: Layana Resort & Spa, Koh Lanta is renovating to increase its rooms from 51 to 57 and will reopen in mid-August with four new Garden
Pavilion rooms and two Grand rooms, as well as an additional pool. The Vijitt Resort Phuket offers a
new Phuket Town walking tour. OUTRIGGER RESORTS: The resort community of Laguna Phuket comprises Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort and the residential- style Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and Villas. LJR CONSULTANCY: The company represents eight Thai properties including Buri Rasa Koh Phangan; Kanda Residences, Koh Samui (awarded a Certifi cate of Excellence by Tripadvisor in 2014); The Racha, Koh Racha Yai; and Aava Resort, in the up-and-coming Khanom area.
sellingtravel.co.uk
How can I sell Thailand for shopping? Bangkok’s eight shopping areas have everything from high-end malls to markets, hosting top-end designers as well as traditional products like silk and wood carvings. Recommend your clients pick up some tailor-made clothes, but my tip is to tell them to take a picture of what they want made rather than ask for original designs.
Q&A with Chris Lee...
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