The Tourism Authority of Thailand will organise the "Happy Bike Rai Covid" programme in Rayong on Saturday and Sunday.
HTMS Prasae Memorial. (Photo by Pongpet Mekloy)
It aims to promote the fact the province is now safe to welcome tourists after a recent scare concerning Covid-19. Thousands of locals have been tested for infection and the results are negative.
"Happy Bike Rai Covid" will be organised at HTMS Prasae Memorial, a Royal Thai Navy ship, at the public park next to the mouth of Prasae River.
The programme on Saturday will be for leisure. It will feature a 15km cycling route which will include stops for tasting local snacks. The Sunday programme, on the other hand, is designed for teams. The distance is about 75km. Both biking trips start at 6.30am for registration and the cycling will begin around 8am.
Visit thailandfestival.org/content/816.
Home is where the holiday is
More than 80% of people still plan to travel within this year and their destinations will be close to home, according to the Holiday Barometer report by Europe Assistance, a Paris-based insurance company.
The online survey was conducted among 11,000 individuals in France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Poland, the United Kingdom, the United States, China and Thailand between June 5-26. The samples were 1,000 respondents in one country.
The survey found that Italy (89%), France (87%) and Thailand (85%) lead the other countries when it comes to planned travel in 2020. About 35% of respondents also claimed to have already booked a trip for July and August or to plan to do so.
More than one third prefer to take a weeklong vacation at a beach destination. About 75% will travel by car while 20% will take a plane and 14% will take the train.
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, 54% of global travellers plan to purchase travel insurance for their next trip. In Thailand, the trend is even bigger with 70% of Thais planning to buy travel insurance in the future, while only 44% of people did this in the past.
Furthermore, many of the travellers, particularly Europeans, indicated they'll return to their pre-Covid travel preferences such as flying and staying in large hotels by early next year.
AIRLINES UPDATE
- Thai VietJet Air will launch flights between Bangkok and Nakhon Si Thammarat starting on Aug 6.
The service will be available daily. The outbound flight will depart from Suvarnabhumi airport at 11.05am. The inbound flight will depart Nakhon Si Thammarat airport at 12.50pm. The flying time is about 90 minutes.
Visit vietjetair.com.
- Bangkok Airways will reopen its lounges at Suvarnabhumi airport and Samui airport on Saturday.
Passenger lounges at other airports, however, are still temporarily closed.
The Boutique Lounge and Blue Ribbon Club Lounge at Suvarnabhumi will be available between 6am and 4pm. The Courtesy Corner and Blue Ribbon Club Lounge at Samui will be available from 8am to 6pm.
For more details, visit bit.ly/32rmYIf or call 1771.
HOTEL DEALS & UPDATE
- Booking.com has launched a Rebook Campaign allowing travellers who had to cancel their trips due to government travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic to rebook the same property for a future stay.
Eligible customers will receive a promo code to rebook and receive 15% of the booking price (up to €100, or around 3,700 baht) back in credit after their stay, to use for future travel. Rebookings must be made before Dec 31, but are valid for stays with check-in dates until April 30 next year.
Visit booking.com.
- Museflower Retreat & Spa Chiang Rai has reopened with a 25% discount deal until Sept 30.
The offer is for spa, yoga and customised retreat packages, room bookings, spa treatments, wellness activities, practitioner sessions and shop products (except extra drinks and snacks).
Visit musefloweretreat.com.
- Anantara Chiang Mai Resort has introduced a staycation offer.
Prices for a two-night stay for two start from 17,000 baht net for up to two people staying in a Deluxe Garden View Room. The offer includes daily breakfast, afternoon tea and one complimentary session of yoga, tai chi or meditation.
Thai travellers who join the government's "Rao Thiew Duay Kan" (We Travel Together) campaign will be eligible for up to 3,000 baht refund per room per night. Guests will also receive an e-voucher worth up to 600 baht per night to spend on dining and spa.
Visit anantara.com/en/chiang-mai/offers.
Email karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th if you have any comments to share.
