Features

Kingdom calling

16 Nov 2017 by Akanksha Maker

Akanksha Maker understands the business of MICE in Bangkok

Pristine beaches, lip-smacking cuisine and affordability are a few reasons why Thailand is popular amongst travellers. According to the Thailand Office of Tourism Development, the total number of visitors to Thailand grew from eight million arrivals in 1998 to around 30 million in 2015. Since a few years, Thailand’s MICE industry has been growing at a drastic pace, increasing by 49 per cent between 2010 and 2013. Revenue generated by MICE grew by US$1 billion during the same period. Due to political instability, MICE arrivals in 2014 reduced by nine per cent from the previous year, only to bounce back in 2015 to the usual figures. Thailand was ranked 25th out of 141 countries worldwide, and third among ASEAN countries after Singapore and Malaysia in the Tourism and Travel Competitiveness Index 2015 published by the World Economic Forum. Numbers gathered by Thailand Office of Tourism Development show that MICE accounts for seven per cent of all inbound visitors to Thailand as of 2015. Due to their impressive spending potential, this category of travellers is highly regarded in the country.

Direct air connectivity to the important metropolises around the globe, diverse cities, exotic islands and world-class hospitality are a few more reasons why Thailand has evolved into a preferred MICE destination. This is further attributed to improved infrastructure, varied accommodation options by international hotel chains and well-versed local event management companies.

Earlier this year, Sumate Sudasna, managing director of Conference and Destination Management Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA) confirmed Thailand’s popularity amongst MICE coordinators in numbers, “There are about 360 meetings and trade shows planned in Thailand for the second half of 2017, out of which 75 per cent are international-scale conferences and trade exhibitions. The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) positions Thailand at 24th in the World’s Association Meeting Destinations list for this year. In the same survey, Bangkok jumped from the 16th to the 12th position. Research and Markets’ recent Thailand Industry and Forecast to 2022 report, predicts that the kingdom could expect to welcome more than 1.3 million MICE travellers by 2022. This would generate around US$4 billion in revenue.”

Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park facade

Having visited the Thai capital a few times in the past, on my recent visit, I looked forward to exploring its MICE aspect keenly. It begins with Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, a 1,360-key Marriott International property in the heart of the city. (A Marriott hotel can qualify for the Marquis brand if it has over 1,000 rooms, along with a few other criteria like expansive meeting facilities and convenient location). Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park is the first Marquis-categorised hotel in Asia-Pacific, and boasts of 4,645 sqm of venue space across 35 event rooms and six F&B outlets.

We were a part of Marriott International’s test audience for an interesting global partnership. The American hospitality giant has partnered with TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) — an eminent media organisation, which posts talks online for free distribution, under the slogan “ideas worth spreading”. As a part of this collaboration, TED Salons are being held across select Marriott hotels around the world. Past TED Salons have taken place at Seattle Marriott Waterfront, Marriott Hotel Al Forsan, Abu Dhabi and London Marriott Hotel County Hall. This is the fourth in the world and first hotel in the Asia-Pacific region to host the event.

Speaking to Mike Fullerson, vice president of brand and marketing at Marriott International, gave us an understanding as to why Bangkok was chosen to showcase this unique partnership. “The Thai capital is a strategic destination in the Asia-Pacific that appeals to everyone around the world. It has a large expat community, adding to its international appeal, and English is fluently spoken here. This region is also significant to Marriott. China, India, Japan, Korea and Australia (in order) are important markets to Marriott’s portfolio. Australia, with a number of Starwood properties has only recently made it to this list, after the merger (with Starwood),” says Fullerson Incidentally, Thailand’s tourist industry relies heavily on Asians, with China being its top source market.

These TED Salons were a showcase of the hospitality company’s “Meetings Imagined”, a concept I was introduced to back in April 2015, when it was launched in India at JW Marriott Sahar. In a nutshell, it is about “tools to make events more visual, social and purposeful”. This is implemented through MeetingsImagined.com and its Meeting Services App. The two digital innovations are based on the Pinterest model that helps meeting planners visualise and create a “pin board” of ideas. To simplify this purpose, Marriott has assigned Meetings Imagined specialists who are available in 11 Asia-Pacific markets, including Thailand.

While Marriott’s avant garde meeting facilities are impressive, a lot of planners would be interested in conducting simpler events on a larger scale. If you’re looking to execute elaborate conferences or conventions, Bangkok’s impressive and affordable meeting spaces give you a lot of choice. Apart from hotels, Bangkok has a few alternative meeting venues that can accommodate a high number of delegates: (see overlay)

Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC)

Situated in Bangkok’s Bang Na district is Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) — a massive convention and exhibition hall that sprawls across 70,000 sqm. It is closely located to the city’s main business district and a number of hotels including Dusit Princess Srinakarin, Avana Bangkok Hotel and Bang Na Pride Hotel and Residences. BITEC is divided into two phases spanning 3,700 sqm and 5,800 sqm. Both these parts feature event halls, meeting rooms and convention halls. There is also an outdoor concert area, an outdoor space that can host a wide range of events. There are 15 food outlets and two foodcourts within the complex. It also offers more than 5,000 parking spots outdoor and indoor. Along with machinery and trade shows, BITEC, will host Thailand Best Shopping Fair 2016 from December 9-17, 2017. bitec.co.th

International Multi-Purpose Arena and Conference and Trade Complex (IMPACT)

International Multi-Purpose Arena, Conference and Trade Complex (IMPACT)

If you’re looking for something in Pak Kret, a northern suburb of Bangkok, International Multi-Purpose Arena, Conference and Trade Complex (IMPACT) offers the second largest exhibition and convention venue in Asia, with an indoor floor space of over 1,40,000 sqm. It houses Challenger Hall, that at 60,000 sqm, is the world’s largest pillar-free exhibition space. Annually, IMPACT hosts over 490 events and welcomes over 15 million guests. Situated inside this extensive convention venue is Novotel Bangkok IMPACT. This 380-key hotel offers 280 Standard rooms, 86 Premier rooms and 14 suites. All rooms and suites offer a flat screen television with a media hub as well as a satellite and cable television. The hotel makes IMPACT an ideal choice for meetings and conventions that take place over a few days. impact.co.th

Almost every noteworthy hotel company of the world has a presence in the Thai-capital. If Bangkok is on your events calendar in the near future, keep this list handy:

Le Meridien Bangkok; lemeridienbangkokpatpong.com