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Asia Pacific
Hope realised as Bangkok bounces back
After the political fires of May 19 gutted 25 percent of Bangkok’s CentralWorld Shopping Complex, they put on their hardhats and started rebuilding.
Even as construction continued apace behind a HOPE billboard, the never-damaged Bangkok Convention Centre Tower annex hosted another successful ITC&MA in conjunction with the CTW trade show.
More than 480 buyers and corporate travel managers from 54 countries came to meet with 780 exhibitors representing 304 companies from 38 countries.
New exhibitors were Egypt, Finland, Japan Luxembourg, Mexico, Slovenia, Sri Lanka and Ukraine.
Educational courses leading to Professional Association Executive Certificates and Corporate Travel Expert certification courses were conducted for association executives and corporate travel managers who duly receive recognition as newly minted experts.
News from IT&CMA + CTW
Thai Airways VP Danuj Bunnag announced THAI plans to acquire 15 new aircraft (seven A330-300s and eight B777-300ERs) in addition to previously announced 2010-2013 orders for eight A330-300s and six A380s.
Increased THAI flight frequencies are being launched to Oslo, Moscow, Sydney, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Kolkata and Mumbai. A new route will see seven flights weekly to Haneda Tokyo.
Thai Convention Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) president Akapol Sorasuchart announced preparations for Thailand to bid for and host World Expo 2020.
IT&CMA saw the launch of ‘BELIEVE in Thailand’ – a new branding tagline with strong emotive appeal.
Hefty Thailand Maximise subsidies are topped with Thailand
Extra campaigns to lure event planners with extra perks.
Airports of Thailand announced a 62.5 billion Baht allocation to upgrade Phuket Airport to handle 12.5 million passengers from current 6.5m capacity.
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport upgrades will allow it to handle 60 million passengers up from present 40 million.
Australia competes harder
Business Events Tasmania appointed 12 Ambassadors from 12 key Industries to initiate bids for related events.
Adelaide Convention Bureau launched Incentives Adelaide – a series of itineraries involving food, wine and teambuilding.
Perth Convention Bureau has appointed a Singapore-based representative to develop business from Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.
Melbourne Convention & Visitors Bureau has set up a Business Development manager in Shanghai.
Bollywood incentive
Bollywood Tourism has launched half, full and two-day tours to include studio visits, learning the moves, then dancing to Bollywood numbers, acting lessons and even an incentive package dividing groups into teams to do filming and editing work to produce a mock film.
China launches MICE Industry committees
International Congress & Conventions Association (ICCA) China committee has been set up to help PCOs and DMCs win national events, and also to draw International events to main and secondary cities in China.
Similarly, a MICE advisory committee has been set up for Dongcheng district which covers the eastern half of Beijing, including historic Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.
Conclusions
Even as US and Euro currencies weaken against Asian currencies, NTOs claim they continue to offer excellent value-for-money destinations. Countries with currencies pegged to US$ have added competitive advantage.
Sellers to focus on low hanging fruits of nearby regional markets with short-haul travel times. This translates to more affordable budgets for more companies coming out of the 2009 economic downturn and back in the market for MICE.
Long haul US and European markets should take more work and nurturing of relationships.
Meantime Australia’s commodities-fuelled resurgent A$ means sellers will make aggressive marketing moves to win this market for MICE.
Ian Jarrett
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