Tourism Authority of Thailand and MasterCard Launch “Bangkok Welcomes You” Campaign

Mr. Sansern Ngaorungsi, Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Asia and South Pacific), Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) together with Ms Eileen Wee, Vice President and Senior Country Manager, Thailand, MasterCard Worldwide last week announced the launch of the “Bangkok Welcomes You” campaign. Leveraging the success of previous campaigns such as Unseen Paradise Stay in Style II and the various 72hrs Amazing Thailand campaigns, which were received very well by visitors, this campaign is aimed at stimulating tourism domestically and in the Asia/Pacific region and raising more online marketing channels to attract tourists from neighboring markets to travel to Bangkok.

The campaign will run for close to four months, from 18 August 2010 to 30 November 2010, offering up to 100,000 packages to travelers. Cardholders will be eligible for various hotel and merchant privileges. Tourists who are eligible for the benefits of this campaign include overseas MasterCard cardholders from various markets in the Asia/Pacific region and Expat MasterCard cardholders living in Thailand as well as local MasterCard cardholders. Travelers may choose from six pricing starting at 999, 1,599, 1,999, 2,499, 2,999, and 3,999 (all prices in baht or approximately 99, 159, 199, 249, 299 and 399 MYR) per night for two persons. Bookings have to be made via www.bangkokwelcomeyou.com and cardholders will have to use their MasterCard cards to make payment.

Travelers will receive “Bangkok Welcomes You” privilege card and special vouchers when checking in at the hotel and will be eligible to enjoy privilege offers for dining, spa & beauty and accommodation in popular Thai destinations in upcountry resorts like Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, Pattaya, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phuket and Ko Samui etc. Other privileges will include show & entertainment, transportation and shopping benefits.

Follow these easy steps to enjoy the many “Bangkok Welcomes You” special privileges:

1. Book your hotel at www.bangkokwelcomeyou.com
2. Get your “Bangkok Welcomes You” Privilege Card when you check in. Or call (66) 8 1929 3273 if travelers do not get the privilege card.
3. Enjoy the many exclusive privileges listed at www.bangkokwelcomeyou.com

As part of the campaign, TAT will send out the project leaflet to TAT’s overseas offices in different countries in Asia/Pacific and push for communication.

MasterCard Worldwide as the official sponsor will promote the campaign to its cardholders through financial institutions region-wide. Special usage programs and benefits will be tailored in each local market to drive interest. More information on the available packages and pricing can be found at www.mastercard.com/sea.

MasterCard, in collaboration with TAT, will also host familiarization trips in Bangkok for international press from various markets in the Asia/Pacific region and road shows in selected countries including Singapore, Malaysia and Japan.

So, make your reservations for Bangkok Welcomes You now! Take advantage of the many special privileges listed at www.bangkokwelcomeyou.com. Bangkok is waiting to welcome you.

Bloggers invited to compete for prizes in Thailand’s Medical Tourism Blog Contest

The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Medical Tourism Blog Contest kicks off, with cash and prizes worth nearly US$20,000 up for grabs, including a seven-day all-inclusive medical tour of Thailand for 12 finalists.

The competition is easy and fun, with the aim being to promote medical tourism in the Kingdom by awarding winning contestants trips to the Land of Smiles and other prizes.

Twelve finalists chosen from the entries will win an experience of a lifetime: an all-inclusive seven-day Medical Tourism Familiarization Trip in Thailand, which will take place from November 20-26, 2010. Some of them will travel to Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Ko Samui, while others will explore Bangkok. The TAT will arrange additional sightseeing tours for finalists so they can experience the attractions of Thailand as a medical tourism hub.

During the competition period from November 20, 2010 to January 31, 2011, each finalist will use blog posts, photos, videos and other social media tools to share their daily experiences with the medical services available in Thailand with a global audience. The goal is to inform readers about what is available and to persuade them to learn more about Thailand’s top medical tourism destinations.

In order to win, finalists must write the best blog post and attract the highest number of unique visitors. The blogger who attracts the most unique visitors to their URL will win the top prize of $13,000 ($10,000 in cash plus luxurious hotel vouchers worth $3,000 at Sri Panwa, Phuket and Westin Grande, Bangkok), and the finalist who the judging committee decides has created the best blog will receive prizes worth $5,000 ($3,000 in cash plus luxurious hotel vouchers worth $2,000 at Ratilanna Riverside Spa Resort, Chiang Mai and Absolute Chandara Resort and Spa, Phuket).

The competition is open to anyone who has experience writing blogs related to tourism or medical tourism. To enter, visit: www.MedBlogContest.com

This is a great opportunity to discover firsthand why Thailand has become one of the world’s top destinations for medical tourism.

Submissions are welcome until October 31, 2010. Check out www.MedBlogContest.com

For media enquiries, please go to the *Contact Us* page and select the subject Press Media Enquiry. A team member will contact you shortly after your submission is received.**