THAI Meets Agents and Tourism Associations to Discuss Air Fare Hike

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, together with the four main Thai tourism associations – Association of Thai Travel Agents, Thai Hotel Association, Association of Domestic Tour and PATA Thailand Chapter – held a meeting to discuss ways to help alleviate Thailand’s domestic travel situation.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Tasnai Sudasna, THAI’s Executive Vice President Commercial, Mr. Saneh Jotikasatien, First Vice President of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, Mr. Chanin Donavanik, President of the Thai Hotel Association, Mr. Chareon Wang-ananont, President of the Association of Domestic Tour and Mr. Lucia A. Mattsik, President of PATA Thailand Chapter.

Representatives from the agents and hotels understood why THAI had to increase its domestic airfare: the airline was operating at a loss of over 2,000 million baht a year. However, THAI should ensure that the fare hike should not severely affect Thailand’s travel and tourism industry and that passengers should be informed well in advance.

The meeting also agreed on the following issues:

1. Agents who have already sold their package tours at the pre-increase fares, are required to submit the group bookings and passengers’ names to THAI by 15 December 2001. THAI has agreed to let these agents use the previous fares.

2. In year 2002, a special working committee will be appointed to build up the travel and tourism market during low travel season. The committee will comprise representatives from THAI, the Association of Thai Travel Agents, Thai Hotel Association, the Association of Domestic Tour and PATA Thailand Chapter. The committee will select, according to market demand, in which market to conduct a travel promotion or road show such as in the Middle East, Japan and Korea.

In addition, THAI has set up a range of travel and airfare promotion projects including the recently introduced Discover Thailand Fares 2002. Between 1 November – 31 December 2001, the Discover Thailand Fares 2002 aims to attract overseas visitors to travel to any three domestic destinations in Thailand at a price of only USD149. Visitors are able to purchase THAI tickets to other destinations at USD49. These tickets are valid within three months from the day the ticket is purchased.

THAI’s in-house Royal Orchid Holidays program also offers Euarng Luang Tour Thailand for Thai travelers and the Royal Orchid Holidays Package for overseas travelers, both of which are valid between 1 November 2001 to 31 March 2002.