Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched another online contest designed to further grow exposure of the kingdom’s “Thainess” niche-market products across the global social media networks. Participants are eligible to win a FREE one-month stay in Thailand as well as a range of FREE short-stay holidays, including a top prize of a luxury package.
Non-Thai travelers from around the world as well as Thai citizens are invited to sign up for the “One and Only” contest, which was unveiled on 23 February at a launching ceremony presided over by Mrs. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and Sports and Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, Governor of TAT.
For foreigners, the applications are open from now until April 30, while Thai people can join this campaign starting in May.
Minister Kobkarn said, “The Royal Thai Government has declared 2015 as the year to “Discover Thainess”, which is in line with our national agenda to promote sustainability and accelerate economic and social development under the Royal philosophy of promoting a sufficiency economy. I would like to invite all social media users all over the world to participate enthusiastically in this unique contest which has been specially designed for them.”
Governor Thawatchai added, “We believe this innovative and creative campaign will generate a positive buzz on social media networks all over the world, and give further prominence to our key niche-market focus on “Thainess”.
The contest is sponsored by Thai Airways International, The Peninsula Bangkok, Sukhothai Heritage Resort, The Raya Surawong-Bangkok, Sri Panwa Phuket, De Naga Chiang Mai, The AETAS Bangkok, Wanaburee Resort Khao Lak, Paradise Beach Resort Samui, Chatrium Residence Bangkok, Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok, Palm Beach Resort Phuket, Emporium Suites by Chatrium Bangkok, Maitria Hotel Sukhumvit 18, and Thavorn Beach Village and Spa Phuket.
In a nutshell, visitors can choose an activity from five options under the “Discover Thainess” theme: Muay Thai, traditional Thai dancing, Thai cooking, making Thai-style floral garlands, and speaking Thai. The “Discover Thainess’ website will upload a video clip for each activity to be used as a guideline for making their own video.
Visitors can film themselves enjoying the same activity, submit the clip to the contest, and get a chance to be a part of this unique and culturally rich experience.
The eligibility rules cover non-Thai citizens aged 20-45, either living in Thailand or abroad. All must be social media savvy, using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Pinterest, Wechat or Weibo on a regular basis. The 3 selected teams must be able to stay in Thailand for 1 month.
In recent years, TAT has developed aggressive online and digital marketing strategies to promote tourism via all forms of new media and across all devices; such as, mobile phones, smart phones, and tablets. These have been designed to reach specific target audiences worldwide, especially young travellers and families.
Social media networks are playing an increasingly important role in the tourism sector. The Internet has changed consumer behaviour in many ways, both in terms of the way people buy their travel products, the destinations they choose, the amount of time they have to travel, and the amount of money they spend.
People are eager to share experiences via social media, making it the equivalent of word-of-mouth marketing, the most powerful means of personalised publicity for any destination.
Participants can check out full details of the contest, including eligibility, rules, regulations, procedures and prizes here: www.tourismthailand.org/discoverthainess