THAILAND’S MICE industry continues to register strong recovery in the first quarter, with DMCs reporting solid double-digit growth year-on-year.
Improved air access, revenue from new markets and Thailand’s value proposition were seen as key drivers of the positive trend. A peaceful 2012 – the first 12 months in the past five years to pass without any major political upheavals or natural disasters – was an additional shot in the arm for Thailand’s MICE players.
DMCs contacted by TTGmice e-Weekly reported a strong start to the year, with three posting yield growth ranging from 10 to 100 per cent year-on-year.
“We are up by 100 per cent on Q1 last year,” said Michael Lynden-Bell, general manager of Exotissimo Thailand. “We have done more MICE business in 1Q2013 than we did for the full 2012.”
France, Belgium and South Africa were key source markets for Exotissimo in the first quarter.
“The direct flight offered by Thai Airways from Brussels has been a huge win for us. We have seen a large increase in MICE business from Belgium and that has put Thailand back on the map as a MICE destination for many European markets,” said Lynden-Bell.
Other operators cited increased flight capacity from new carriers such as Norwegian.com and Thai Smile as additional boons to their business.
“We’re seeing good growth out of the American market,” said Andre van der Marck, general manager of Khiri Travel Thailand, where MICE yield rose 10 per-cent during the period.
“Australia is doing well for future bookings, following our trip to Melbourne for AIME in February,” van der Marck added.
Asian Trails Thailand’s incentives manager, Sumlee Anankamanee, said the firm’s MICE business grew by 30 per cent year-on-year in the last quarter as increased revenue from upper-market clients in India, China, Russia, Poland and Vietnam far outweighed a downturn in business from Portugal, Spain and other parts of Europe.
“Thailand’s still a good destination,” she said. “We are great value and we have everything in one place.”
