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The Development and Promotion of MICE in Thailand

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The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is leveraging the development of Thai MICE business in long haul markets in collaboration with foreign chambers of commerce representing Australia, UK, USA and Germany.
​Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB, disclosed, “The signing of this MOU – The Development and Promotion of MICE –  between TCEB and Foreign Chamber Alliance (FCA), comprising 4 chambers of commerce representing our main target countries, which are Australia, UK, USA and Germany.
It’s considered another remarkable step of TCEB in altering our role to leverage MICE by serving as a business partner who joins hands with foreign organisations to promote the development of Thai MICE in international markets, as well as to penetrate into long haul MICE markets in Oceania, Europe and the USA, side by side with our main short haul target markets in Asia.
“Indeed, the collaboration is a new dimension of promoting Thai MICE business in long haul markets with concentration on Oceania, Europe and the USA. This is the very first time that the Foreign Chamber Alliance – FCA, which represents Australia, UK, USA and Germany, signed an MOU with a Thai government agency. Interestingly, FCA has more than 20,000 members that include businessmen, investors, entrepreneurs from business, industrial and service sectors, such as Minor Hotels Group, AccorHotels Group, Marriott Hotels Group, convention centres business, as well as oil, mining, pharmaceutical, automobile and other industries,” he added.
“These are considered high potential business groups for propelling the national economy and are included among the targeted industries that the Thai government is keen to encourage in line with the 4.0 Policy. For this reason, this is a lucrative opportunity for us to collaborate to develop and raise the competitiveness of Thai MICE. The 4 chambers of commerce have recognised the importance of using MICE as the gateway to the development of commerce and investment in Thailand and ASEAN,” he said.
With this MOU, the framework for the development of MICE business will embrace 5 dimensions of operation:
• The sharing of MICE statistics and events
• MICE business development
• MICE market promotion
• MICE business research
• MICE personnel development.
Mr. Chiruit further said, “The initial collaboration to mutually promote MICE business will mainly focus on hospitality service, because members of the FCA have long records of investment in Thailand, which have been running alongside their nationwide service businesses. Hence, they have eyed to extend collaboration with Thai government agencies, as they believe the endeavour will open a new door to operate MICE business in Thailand and ASEAN.
“This, in turn, will allow them to study about the dynamics and direction of the Thai MICE market. By joining with TCEB in formulating a marketing development scheme, the synergy will open a new door to connecting with other alliances who relate with the promotion of Thai MICE business in targeted countries. Moreover, there will be co-operation in drawing international events into Thailand, marketing promotion and provision of support for events previously held in Thailand,” he said.
“Target groups and alliances will be invited to participate to strengthen the potential of MICE events held here in Thailand. The FCA will join with us in the exchange of marketing information related to targeted industries held by allied chambers of commerce and TCEB will exchange information on Thai MICE business, including statistics and events, to fully bolster mutual MICE business development,” said the TCEB President.

​He went on to say, “Nevertheless, the FCA expects the Thai government to leverage the competitiveness of Thai MICE business in order to serve global competition. For example, facilitation of customs and immigration procedures; development of infrastructure and transportation; construction of convention centres; development of MICE personnel that meets international standards, and establishment of One-Stop-Service MICE centres. All of which will open a new door to the holding of MICE events in Thailand by efficiently offering enhanced convenience for MICE entrepreneurs and organisers,“ he declared.

Proposals to establish MICE service centres has been included in TCEB’s earlier strategic plan, and the Ease of Doing Business project as well  as the draft of a national strategy of NESDB (National Economic and Social Development Council).
​Mr. Chiruit went on to explain, “After the completion of MOU signing, TCEB is set to discuss with the FCA on the preparation of Phase I work plan, which lasts two years. Both parties will encourage practical co-operation in a rapid and consistent manner. Initially, we have planned to attract events and provide support to the holding of events that relate to targeted industries according to the government’s 4.0 Policy, particularly in the provinces governed by the administration of EEC (Eastern Economic Corridor),” he said.

​“TCEB expects that the collaboration will not only leverage the competitiveness of Thai MICE in long haul markets in Oceania, Europe and the USA, but will also help to attract international events into several regions in Thailand, especially those considered main markets in MICE City project, which are Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen. Definitely, we believe the rapport will encourage transfers of technology and knowledge of each industry among one another, and thus will promote advancement in all regions and stimulate income distribution to communities nationwide,” concluded Mr. Chiruit.

Mr. Benjamin Krieg, Vice President, Austcham, explained, “The role of the Foreign Chamber Alliance (FCA) in Thailand and the purpose of signing the MOU combines key Foreign Chambers and their members through this important collaboration, we provide a common voice on advocacy to develop and grow opportunities that can benefit our members and the country of Thailand,” he said.

“The MICE industry is growing, and will also continue to grow in importance and contribution to the overall tourism sector within Thailand, and of course the greater Thai economy. Our primary aim is to continue to increase and grow the competitiveness of Thailand as a leading destination for MICE not only within Asia, but the world, further complimenting the amazing tourism industry that we already are so fortunate to be a part of,” concluded Mr. Krieg.

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Top Easter season destinations for US travelers revealed

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Mexico, Canada and the United Kingdom are among the most popular destinations for travelers in the U.S.1 this Easter period, according to analysis conducted by travel experts.

As of 7 April 2019, more than 95,000 advanced bookings had been made2 in the U.S. through all global distribution systems (GDS) for return flights to Mexico scheduled between 16 April and 22 April 2019. Flight bookings to second placed Canada and third placed U.K stood at 44,975 and 32,515, respectively.

Amongst the top 10 most popular destinations, the ones which had seen the greatest year-on-year increase in Easter flight bookings were Spain, up 33.6% (+4615 bookings in 2018), Canada, up 25.7% (+9198 bookings in 2018) and a close third, Puerto Rico, up 25.6% (+4279 bookings in 2018).

Global distribution systems (GDS) are vast hi-tech reservation networks that allow travel agents, travel management companies and large corporations, among others, to search and book airline seats, hotel rooms, rental cars, and other travel related items.

“Mexico remains by far the most attractive destination in terms of volume, for travelers in the U.S. over the Easter period. A big reason for this is the proximity and great weather all-year round. The proximity, and some great tourist attractions land Canada at the second place. Breathtaking festive celebrations and shopping sales in U.K, boosted by affordable flight options, definitely make it a top destination.

Top Easter season destinations for travelers in Spain booked through global distribution systems

Destination Flight Bookings

Mexico 96,451
Canada 44,975
United Kingdom 32,515
Dominican Republic 32,229
Italy 25,311
China 24,636
Puerto Rico 21,008
France 20,780
Jamaica 19,215
Spain 18,369

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SBC Travel Group announces new Chief Digital Officer

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SBC Travel Group, a technology company, has officially appointed Chief Digital Officer Anthoney Jayasekera. He steps into this role with more than 18 years of experience within the hospitality sector, having worked in digital marketing and online distribution for several leading global brands including Minor Hotels, Crown Melbourne and Aitken Spence Hotels where he was in charge of driving digital strategies.

“SBC Travel excites me as they have a passion for embracing new technology and building solutions for travel,” Mr. Jayasekera says. “Being with hospitality and travel for the last 18 years, I’ve been able to see the paradigm shift from traditional to digital platforms.  It’s exciting to see the transformation from then to now. However, there’s still more opportunity to improve and disrupt current processes so they can be secure, faster, novel, and cost-effective with the use of new advancements in technology.”

In his new role with SBC Travel Group, Mr. Jayasekera will direct the overall digital strategy for all business units within SBC Travel, manage the website and social presence and manage all digital marketing initiatives.

For more information on SBC Travel, please visit sbctravel.io.

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Malaysian airline Firefly signs agreement with Sabre

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Sabre Corporation today announced a new content distribution agreement with Firefly, a leading regional carrier in Southeast Asia, and a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines. As average tourism growth in Southeast Asia continues to exceed international averages, Firefly will take advantage of Sabre’s extensive global travel marketplace to enhance their presence throughout the region.

“Firefly plays an instrumental role in introducing travelers to the wonders of Southeast Asia. Joining Sabre’s leading Global Distribution System (GDS) will enable us to reach our growth objectives, and to improve our distribution metrics, beyond the markets where we’ve been operating in recent years,” said Philip See, CEO, Firefly.

Based out of the Penang and Subang hubs in Malaysia, Firefly provides connections to various points within Malaysia, Southern Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia. Under this agreement, Firefly will further strengthen its alignment with the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) agenda, a cooperation initiative to accelerate economic and social transformation across the three countries. The increased presence that Firefly will enjoy by joining the Sabre GDS will certainly deliver benefits to international travelers and travel agents alike.

“Sabre is pleased to develop a strategic alliance with Firefly, who have selected us as their first GDS. By connecting the airline to our rich global travel marketplace, reaching over 425,000 Sabre-connected agents around the world, this new agreement will directly contribute to expanding the airline’s presence across the region and the globe,” said Rakesh Narayanan, vice president, regional general manager, South Asia and Pacific, Travel Solutions Airline Sales.

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Hotelbeds confirms strategic partnership with KILIT HOSPITALITY GROUP

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Hotelbeds has announced today a strategic distribution partnership with KILIT HOSPITALITY GROUP, Turkey’s largest leisure hotel company and the owners of Crystal Hotel Chain, Amara World Hotels and Nirvana Lagoon Luxury.

Building on over 10 years of working together, the recently signed and significantly expanded partnership takes the form of a preferred agreement that will provide Hotelbeds with exclusive access to KILIT HOSPITALITY GROUP’s Ultra All-Inclusive 5-star hotels that offer guests 24-hours-a-day service.

The partnership provides KILIT HOSPITALITY GROUP with access to world’s largest distribution of high value clients provided by Hotelbeds with +60,000 tour operators, points redemption schemes, airlines, and retail travel agents from more than 140 source markets.

As a result of this Hotelbeds’ clients will have access to KILIT HOSPITALITY GROUP’s portfolio of more than 25,000 beds across 17 hotels that operate under various sub-brands in prominent Turkish tourist locations such as Side, Belek, Kemer and Bodrum.

Additionally, through this partnership KILIT HOSPITALITY GROUP will be able to distribute its hotel rooms via both the wholesale channel, which operates under the ‘Hotelbeds’ name, and the retail travel agent channel, which operates under the ‘Bedsonline’ brand – all united under one contract.

Arzu Harley, Regional Manager of Hotelbeds, Turkey, comments: ““We are hugely excited to confirm that we have significantly expanded upon our longstanding partnership with KILIT HOSPITALITY GROUP, the leading and biggest operator of all-inclusive hotels in Turkey.

“Today’s news reflects our long-term commitment to Turkey, despite the market facing some challenges in recent years, as a premier tourist destination. This commitment has recently proven more than worthwhile, following the continued rebound in hotel bookings for Turkey that we’ve seen over the last year – summer 2019 already looks set to be a record. We are committed to growing our business model in Turkey and our partnership with KILIT HOSPITALITY GROUP will help us reach this goal together.”

Umman Cetinbas, CEO of Crystal Hotels Brand, stated: “Despite being the largest operator of all-inclusive beach and resort hotels in Turkey, we still have ambitious plans to grow further locally. Today’s news forms part of a strategic plan and we look forward to working with Hotelbeds as we not only grow overall bookings together, but more importantly grow high-value bookings.

“After careful consideration we felt that the bedbank distribution channel should be a core part of our growth strategy and following many years of partnering successfully, Hotelbeds was naturally our first choice.”

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