Chiang Mai plans low-season tourism fair

The province and private operators will hold the Chiang Mai Grand Sales 2009 event from May 31 to August 2, Chiang Mai Governor Amornphan Nimanant said.

Department stores, hotels, restaurants and shops in Chiang Mai will offer 30- to 70-per-cent discounts during the three-month fair.

"There will be about 300 participants, with 100 hotels, 50 restaurants, 50 spas, 30 golf courses, 20 tourist attractions and others joining the promotion. The province will spend Bt1.5 million to host the event," Amornphan said.

The fair is aimed at encouraging tourists to visit Chiang Mai in the coming low season, as well as to revive the tourism business, which has suffered from declining numbers of visitors due to the economic crisis.

It is expected to generate Bt100 million in revenue for the province.

Chalermsak Suranant, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Chiang Mai office, said the agency plans to launch a golf campaign from May 1 to June 30.

Golf course operators will offer a single green fee of Bt800 per time during the promotion. TAT is developing Chiang Mai to become a major golf destination.