Centara Hotels and Resorts is tapping into the growing outbound travel from the Middle East.
From now until October 31, the hotel group is offering perks such as Arabic newspapers and TV channels, family floors and private lounge areas for women and children, halal food and Arabic-speaking staff.
Furthermore, during the Ramadan period, which falls between August 1 and 30, the hotel group will serve Arab guests the pre-dawn suhoor meal as well as iftar, refreshments to break the fast at sunset.
These benefits are being rolled out across the hotel group’s properties in Bangkok, Pattaya, Samui, Phuket, Krabi and Chiang Mai.
Chris Bailey, senior vice-president for sales and marketing at Centara Hotels and Resorts, said: “The Middle East is an important market for Thai tourism, and Centara places high emphasis on serving our Arabic guests at all times.
“Ramadan is a time that brings its own demands in terms of service and facilities, and we ensure that these are met every year,” he added.
The Middle East has proven to be a fast-growing market for tourism in Thailand, with arrivals from the region rising from 483,983 in 2009 to 595,298 in 2010. This growth is aided by the expanding aviation links between Thailand and the region as well as the country's 30-day visa-free entry for citizens of Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and the UAE.
For more information, visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com
Alisha Haridasani