Thai hotels to offer deep discounts to restore traveller confidence

The initiative will begin Dec 15 and last for a month. More than 100 hotels nationwide will participate, and 26 global TAT offices will promote the campaign.

"THA hopes that this will help restore tourist confidence in time for the high season," said THA president Prakit Chinamourphong.

The country's tourism industry has been wrestling with the floods since October. THA says the campaign will be especially welcome in short-haul markets like Hong Kong and Taiwan.

"We want tourists to know that the floods have already passed and Thailand is ready to welcome them," Mr Prakit said. "We think the campaign will help increase average occupancy rate from 20-30% to 50-60%."

The association estimates this year's average occupancy rate nationwide at 65%, compared with 53% last year. The forecast is down from an earlier projection of 70%.

Mr Prakit said the occupancy rate in November should be lower than 50% on average nationwide, versus 80% under normal conditions.