The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) holds high hopes for China’s outbound business events market, and has predicted that incentives will be the first sector to bounce back when the country reopens next month.
According to TCEB’s president Chiruit Isarangkun na Ayuthaya, Bangkok and Pattaya are expected to remain of interest to Chinese incentive groups, alongside Phuket – barring the success of the Phuket Sandbox initiative to welcome vaccinated visitors, allowing them to bypass quarantine requirements.
To continue engaging the Chinese market, TCEB appointed a Guangzhou marketing representative in May 2021, joining its Beijing headcount. The new representation will make inroads in certain markets in southern China, such as Shenzhen. It is in the midst of conducting market activities with key partners, and meeting with decision-makers looking to organise overseas events.
TCEB has also set up a virtual marketplace – TIME 2021 Business Exchange Chinese Speaking Edition – on June 22 and 23 to connect 42 Thai entrepreneurs with 22 Chinese buyers.
In addition, the bureau is working with the private sector to develop a support package for incentive groups, to be rolled out by end-2021. Although details have yet to be firmed up, TCEB is looking at sponsoring two nights of accommodation for Chinese groups with a minimum of 30 travellers.
