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onsdag 9 november 2011 | recovery
Choice of Destinations Helps Thailand Mitigate Floods Impact
Thailand's meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions industry is still operating actively in Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and other destinations around Thailand, despite the floods affecting parts of Bangkok and surrounding provinces in the country's central region. Most of Thailand's international airports are still operating normally, including Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok's main international gateway, located East of Bangkok on the way to Pattaya, and those operating in the country's South (Phuket, Hat Yai and Samui) and North (Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai). “The variety of destinations Thailand has to offer helps mitigate the impact of the floods affecting the Bangkok area,” said Akapol Sorasuchart, the President of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). “Also, thanks to steps we are taking with the cooperation from the industry, we expect that Thailand's MICE business will remain stable for the entire fiscal 2012 as most events affected by the situation have been rescheduled to next quarter.” The floods currently affecting Bangkok and some other central provinces along the Chao Phraya River are the worst to hit the country in over 50 years. Overall, 14 MICE events, mostly tradeshows planned to be held in and around Bangkok this quarter, were affected with revenue losses estimated at 2.98 billion baht and a meetings industry visitor shortfall estimated at 96,000. Pictured: Akapol Sorasuchart |
