Thailand
is ready to showcase destination with experiential pre- and post-show
tours at IT&CMA and CTW 2012.
Intensive
buyer acquisition efforts for IT&CMA and CTW 2012 has attracted
close to 800 applications from MICE buyers and corporate travel
managers across the world, including new markets such as
Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, Israel, Lebanon,
Mexico and Tanzania. The event also has a reported a 50% surge in
registrations from Australian buyers.
Noteworthy
among the interested buyers this year are American Express,
HelmsBriscoe, HPN Global, MCI Group, MMCO World and Thomas
Cook Business Incentives.
The
2012 event aims for a 55% of Asia-based buyers and 45% of
international buyers. This aggregate 10% shift in focus from last
year’s 50/50 split is due to the volatility of the business
environment in the UK and US. The hostingcommittee expects a
possible reduction in the purchasing power of buyers from these
countries, and predicts that Asian buyers will be able to utilize
IT&CMA’s three business days to realize business with shorter
lead times.
This
year, the Corporate Travel World (CTW) conference programme plans to
woo influential travel managers with its quality content and
networking opportunities. Said Mr. Darren Ng – Managing Director of
TTG Asia Media, “This year, we have introduced a number of
initiatives to capitalize on the increased interest in CTW 2012. With
the support of our partners, we have introduced a specially tailored
conference package which will include air fare, accommodation and
conference registration fees for the delegates.”
CTW’s
increasing popularity and market value is evident through
an emerging trend of large multinationals nominating more than one of
their travel professionals to attend. Leading organisations like
Accenture (Japan, Malaysia, Australia, India and Singapore) Shneider
(Indonesia, Singapore), General Electric (Singapore, Malaysia,
Italy), Bosch (Asia), MSD Merck (Indonesia, Singapore), are examples
of this trend.
Initiatives
to engage a fresh pool of corporate travel managers have been stepped
up through extensive acquisition of databases from partners,
associations, confirmed exhibitors, and strong referrals from sources
such as media affiliates and focus groups comprising leading travel
managers and decision makers in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.
This
year, the event will focus on drawing corporate participation from
new markets that have high potential to procurecorporate
events in Asia. Participation from these countries including
China, Hong Kong, Philippines and Australia, will allow participants
the opportunity for balanced exposure and
knowledge sharing.
Mr.
Thongchai Sridama, member of the Board of Directors and Acting
President of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) said,
“Thailand is a destination teeming with choices, and we are geared
up for all delegates to experience Thailand’s MICE potential and
unique products. International buyers, corporate travel managers and
media can join our post-show tours for experiential interaction with
our brand new destination offerings that can be tailored to suit
every requirement. Delegates can now plan their itineraries according
to the newly released post-show programmes.”
TCEB
has revealed this year’s post-show tour destinations to be Chiang
Rai, Krabi and Pattaya. From 5th to 7th October 2012, MICE buyers and
corporate travel managers will have a chance to visit these popular
destinations. The pre-show city tours, which have also been
announced, display some of the experience-based highlights that TCEB
has planned this year, such as the opportunity to take a
Thai cooking class. This novel approach, coupled with the chance to
see famous landmarks in and around Bangkok, is expected to drive
interest in the tours.
Engagement
efforts are slated to continue next month at the Preview Reception on
6th July 2012, which will be held at the newly inaugurated Sofitel
So, Bangkok. The by-invitation-only preview and networking event will
give the attending association buyers, MICE buyers and corporate
travel managers, an exclusive glimpse into IT&CMA and CTW 2012.