TCEB shows the world that it is ready to welcome back foreign delegates as the kingdom’s reopening measures ease.
Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) hosted its first FAM trip for international business event professionals in two years, attracting 43 “MICE entrepreneurs” from 15 markets.
From 26 March to 1 April, the 2022 Thailand MICE Familiarization Trip welcomed business event professionals from Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, UK and USA.
The trip introduced business event venues and attractions in Bangkok and Phuket and produced 57 leads that are estimated to bring in a revenue of THB1,901 million (USD56.5 million) to the country. TCEB said foreign delegates praised the quality, standard and flexibility of services and diversity of routes and MICE activities as Thailand’s strong advantages for holding business events.
The tour also prioritised sustainable event management. All activities during the seven-day tour and the farewell night party under the theme The Embrace of Thai Night were able to reduce the emission of CO2 by 6,603.19 kgCO2e, which equals planting 400 trees. Moreover, materials used in the farewell night party will be reused in other events.
Through meetings with Thai suppliers, the convention segment generated six leads, worth an estimated revenue of THB919 million, while the meeting and incentive segment generated 51 leads, worth estimated revenue of THB981 million.
The trip put into spotlight the standards, quality, flexibility, client-centric service delivery, as well as a variety of choices and culinary excellence as Thailand’s strong advantages in serving international MICE events.
Werner Van Cleemputte, Owner of Medicongress, a Belgium-based PCO, said: “Over the last four days of FAM trip, we were impressed by an immense evolvement that Bangkok has made. We have seen the standard on an international level for conferences. Thailand is unique. I should say the flexibility of people you work with. Also, the available technology. We have seen hybrid meetings, and the spirit that you have here makes everybody want to come to real conferences and meet each other in person again.”
Alexandra Goodsell, Head of Customer Success, Power2Motivate – an Australian Event Planner, mentioned: “Joining in this trip tells me that it’s so much more than just inspections. No wonder Thailand is among the most distinctive options because there are products that respond to several types of MICE travellers. Hotel quality and food standards have been raised. There are a lot more hotel products and MICE venues available. Leisure destinations are really good options for MICE travellers. I would say young demographic, and maybe technology companies.”
Mark Cochrane, Regional Director Asia-Pacific of UFI (The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry), shared: “During the pandemic, we have seen the endeavour of Thailand in the improvement of service. Event organisers had to put in place new processes to get through problems caused by the COVID-19. Now, Thailand has emphasised customer-oriented services, such as Thailand Pass, which is considered an expansion of Thailand’s strengths in efficient servicing. This has been beneficial to event organisers, which is the core to any successful exhibitions.”
Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President, TCEB, shared that the bureau has taken swift promotional acts in international markets, capturing the meeting and incentive sector in the short-term for a speedy recovery and the convention sector for long-term recovery.
“The FAM trip aims to provide international delegates with direct experiences on the readiness and potential of Thailand in terms of meeting venues, accommodation, variety of activity options, access to facilities and hygiene and safety practices. These will assure foreign participants that selecting Thailand as their MICE destination can promise successful results and memorable impressions for clients.
“TCEB has never ceased to evolve in hopes to prepare Thailand for the return of foreign MICE markets. Thailand has continued to receive trust from international countries when selecting their MICE destination. Feedbacks from participants of this FAM trip reflect their perspectives that Thailand has the potential to bring successful results to global events as desired,” Chiruit said.
