Songkran Festival – Boosting Tourism In Thailand

Thailand remains to be a favorite tourist destination in spite of the government campaign to conserve water due to the record draught. Songkran is the biggest water festival in Thailand that will be observed from April 13 to 15 of this year. According to data gathered from an online travel search engine, there is a 48% year-on-year increase for overall searches for Thailand including some of its cities like Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai and Krabi.

A 63% increase in the searches for Phuket followed by Krabi at 55% was particularly noticeable including the 47% increase of searches for Samui and 46% for Bangkok because Chiang Mai used to be the most popular destination for Songkran. Surprisingly, Chiang Mai has the lowest year-on-year increase in searches at 32% for this year.

Most tourists who travel to Thailand come from countries that include Singapore, Australia, Russia, the United Kingdom and Germany. Singaporeans made the most searches at 89% followed by Australians at 36% and Russians at 26%.  The rise in searches is definitely in keeping with Thailnd’s efforts to boost tourism especially during the annual New Year’s festival.

Even the locals are interested to join the festivities because of budget air travel. At least 16 hotels in Bangkok and seven provinces are offering four hour “flash sales” so as to stimulate tourism during Songkran. Features include special deals and steep discounts on accommodation packages, theme park tickets and related travel products and services. The features make it more encouraging for both locals and tourists to celebrate water splashing during Songkran Festival.

Participating hotels and resorts include Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket and InterContinental Hua Hin. Flash sales are open to expatriates and tourists. These special privileges are aimed at stimulating the Thais to enjoy their own country by travelling within Thailand during the Thai New Year festivities.

You can also rent a condo in Hua Hin to enjoy the nationwide Songkran Festival. There are condo units inside luxurious beachfront properties that are easily accessible from downtown Hua Hin. There are also condos with a great sea view as well as swimming pools and exclusive fitness gyms.