Thailand’s removal of pre-travel testing requirements for international arrivals – one of the first few countries to do so – has set the business events industry abuzz with excitement, with many overseas planners looking to resume activities in the Kingdom.
The eased arrival requirement came into effect on April 1, 2022.
Planners that TTGmice spoke at the 2022 Thailand MICE Familiarisation Trip last week said the destination offers many advantages – from affordability to delicious cuisine – for business events.
Suryanti Sukini, account director at Jakarta-based Orange Incentive House, said Indonesians are interested in Bangkok because of how “affordable” the capital city is. Companies are looking to spend around US$500 per pax for a 3D2N incentive trip (at press time this includes the Test and Go scheme).
Bangkok also offers a host of other leisure pursuits, such as shopping, eating, and cheap massages, which Suryanti said are “popular” among her clients.
Thailand is just as attractive to European business event attendees, remarked Waiwan Lee, managing director of Pepler Lee Events. “Thailand is a big draw for the Western market, as she is rich in culture and gastronomic adventures. The country gives corporate groups bang for their buck. Thailand is also perceived as Covid-safe,” said Lee.
According to Lisa Painter, senior event manager of Sydney-based The Event Authority, Australians love Thailand for its “party beach vibe”, a “very good mix of work and play”, local cuisine, and accessibility.
For first-time buyer Olivia Harvey, event manager of Melbourne-based Conference Works, Thailand has “exceeded all of her expectations”, and she is excited to sell Bangkok after experiencing the city inspection.
Buyers told TTGmice that Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau’s (TCEB) sustained efforts to engage and support them have been valuable too.
Elaine Foo, senior manager – account management, business events & destination management with Singapore’s Global Travel, said the authorities have been “forthcoming about rules” and TCEB has constantly provided information that “reassures planners that the bureau will be able to sort out any potential hiccups”.
Agreeing, Painter added that available subventions for inbound business events, including rebates, room incentives and F&B discounts, boost Thailand’s attractiveness.
While Thailand is more accessible now, some clients are still worried about resuming travel in the presence of Covid-19. Furthermore, the retention of any testing requirements can shake travel confidence, observed buyers.
Suryanti said preferred destinations today are those with fewer restrictions.
Agreeing, Foo said destinations that “do away with tests, and have a clear plan forward will win”. For this, Thailand is on the right track, she opined, as the country has plans to transition to an endemic state by July 1, 2022.
At press time, Global Travel has a group bound for Thailand in May, while The Event Authority is looking at confirming a group for August.
