Have I missed something??

[Heywood]

I don't know if its just me, but I am amazed that I have not seen very much promotion going on from the hotels, if vacancy's are high then why isn't there much bigger deals going on?

I know there's a culture issue about trying to make up money by keeping the price high, vrs my our way of marketing...go for the volume or bigger percentage of market share and charge less to get it.

What I am talking about is that I have not seen many hotels say that "we're all cleaned up and ready for your stay" or anything remotely like that...I see mostly the same websites, very little updates.

I have seen a few smart moves out there, a message letting people know that everything is back to normal...a recent photo is always good...even a few that offered a discounted stay....you have to get people back...so you have to do whatever you have to do to get them to spend some money and have a good time...then they will return again...and again...

There is a lot of make up work to be done, when we have had things happen here that cost us our number one trade...tourism we have had to lure them back as it were...remind everyone via advertising that things are back to normal...we are open for business.

Besides, I was coming to phuket anyway and could stand to get a great deal...I might even spend more than I would have if all this nasty business had not had occured...

Well if anyone knows of some good deals...I'm looking.

Patong 10mar-15mar.

[dizbuster]

The hotels rarely advertise, it's normally travel agent websites that show the hotels. Quite a few that I have seen have a link to an "updates" page and Phuket is not the only place that they advertise. I get the impression that you think it is quite easy to just go snap a few photos and update a few websites. Unfortunately it is not that simple and there is an awful lot of work involved plus extra cost at a time when the least want it.

I am sure they are doing there best in the circumstances and as for the not seeing any discounts, then try an alternative method. I have already said on other threads that at present money talks, so why not contact a hotel direct and ask for a quote, then ask "how much discount for cash ??" When times are hard, businesses like this rely heavily on keeping cashflows moving, so will surely welcome such an opportunity with a reasonable discount in return.

Cheers
Diz

[Heywood]

Originally Posted by dizbusta

The hotels rarely advertise, it's normally travel agent websites that show the hotels. Quite a few that I have seen have a link to an "updates" page and Phuket is not the only place that they advertise. I get the impression that you think it is quite easy to just go snap a few photos and update a few websites. Unfortunately it is not that simple and there is an awful lot of work involved plus extra cost at a time when the least want it.

Cheers
Diz

Well Diz, I can appreciate a few points here...but you get the impression that I think it is quite easy to update a few websites because I know this business fairly well...I have been involved with the net since the begining and yes it is very easy to update and should not be costing an arm and a leg to do so...regardless I appreciate the thought of just waiting until we show up and haggle...that works too.

What I was speaking about is more about the lack of information being passed on what I consider to be normal channels, number one I don't trust agents from any walk of life...that's just me.

If Nicke didn't have such a great board, information would be even harder to get to...and that was the point.

[Coolhand]

I have been contacted by a hotel, that keeps records of email addresses, keeping me fully advised of their situation.

I think this is a very sensible approach, don't want to appear desperate for trade, but want to reassure all their regular clients.

Don't know how many hotels ask for email address of patrons though.

[Heywood]

Originally Posted by Coolhand

I have been contacted by a hotel, that keeps records of email addresses, keeping me fully advised of their situation.

I think this is a very sensible approach, don't want to appear desperate for trade, but want to reassure all their regular clients.

Don't know how many hotels ask for email address of patrons though.

That's a very smart thing for them to be doing, I guess my real point yesterday is that I believe there is a lot of misinformation floating around, the media loves to harpe on what is "tragic" which does need to be covered, but very little time is spent after big events to show that things are "normal".

The tourist industry is a very competive market, we have the ability to go and spend our money where we want, so people make choices based on a great deal many things, I have contact with lots of different people from all over, and when they hear I'm headed out to thailand, the ask me if I'm going to help...I say yes...I am going on vacation, that is my way of helping.

I know it will take a long time for things to really normalize, we are planning on doing a website to promote our trip in march, showing the views from the point of a tourist. We have plans to shoot very wide range of photos and hope that in some small way we contribute to the recovery.

[Baltic]

Well,
my mother asked today (she is now 71 and I will be very soon 47 )

- are You still going to Phuket this time - there is only dead bodies smell hanging around

If my own beloved mother is so stupid (SRY MOTHER...), I have to do lot of explaining amongst my beloved related people

Anyway arriving late February 28
Baltic

[andy50]

go there and have a sniff of the air, then report back the smell to mum--its clean and fresh -- in the time between-- go to the mai tai bar in soi eric and enjoy yourself

[Baltic]

Originally Posted by andy50

go there and have a sniff of the air, then report back the smell to mum--its clean and fresh -- in the time between-- go to the mai tai bar in soi eric and enjoy yourself

Yes andy50,
this is what I will do soon
Now already counting days
3 weeks and two days until arrival
Sincerely,
Baltic

[stevem]

The individual hotels arent advertising themselves, but there are lots of extremely *CHEAP* packages being sold around the region. Heard a report the other night that Air Asia is selling a RM99 Kuala Lumpur to Phuket with 3 nights accommodation. Now this seems unbelievably cheap, but is for real.

The same is also happening in other countries, but cant quote exact details.

[Heywood]

Originally Posted by stevem

The individual hotels arent advertising themselves, but there are lots of extremely *CHEAP* packages being sold around the region. Heard a report the other night that Air Asia is selling a RM99 Kuala Lumpur to Phuket with 3 nights accommodation. Now this seems unbelievably cheap, but is for real.

The same is also happening in other countries, but cant quote exact details.

Thanks for the coments there stevem, I was thinking that maybe it was my approach to finding this type of information, I would think that deals would be around.

Baltic, yes that is exactly the response I have gotten as well. Even my sister who is normally fairly well informed say's to me..oh how can you do that...she had seen some story that said body's were being washed ashore still....It's just one of those things I suppose that stays in peoples minds.

One problem has to do with geography, a lot of people lump the whole even into the same area, so they see what's going on in a different country and just put the story in there head as one area.

Regardless hope to catch as many bm's while we are there....looking forward to taking in some of that clean air!

[chucky66]

I have to agree with one of your originalpoints Heywood. Ive been trying to get some reasonable rates for some hotels in Phuket for a friend of mine but all Im getting quoted are high rate prices..with no promotions or discounts. Phuket hotel owners should really think about slashing there prices for the short term...get the customers back and then go back to normal prices.

Saying that however...Im not in Phuket at the moment so maybe tourist numbers are already back up to normal levels and this is why prices remain unchanged?

[marc26]

first heywood,
i fully agree with your sentiments that they should be pushing their advertising more.
also, i went back to phuket 2 times after the tsunami and both times, just went to one of the hotel places in the airport and got 65-75% off.

[andy50]

Originally Posted by marc26

first heywood,
i fully agree with your sentiments that they should be pushing their advertising more.
also, i went back to phuket 2 times after the tsunami and both times, just went to one of the hotel places in the airport and got 65-75% off.

marc you posted this before, i dont think some people listen to your good advice !!!