MESSAGE FROM

the President of TICA

As we settle into the second quarter of 2021, it is undeniable that Thailand’s MICE industry is facing its most unprecedented challenge yet in the arrival of this third wave. All of us welcomed the New Year with the hope that we would soon be returning to normal, albeit a ‘new normal’, but the country is once again facing a very real threat, one that poses major disruptions for the nation’s plans to open to tourism, business travel, and more.

However, rather than view the ongoing situation with a negative lens, I would like all MICE professionals to see this time as an opportunity for strategising, to embrace change, and share our collective knowledge. This pandemic has been a significant test against the professionalism of the nation’s business events industry, but I have no doubt that once the dust settles, Thailand’s MICE market will continue to thrive as it has always done.

Despite the unexpected challenges brought forth by the third wave, Thai authorities are going ahead with their plans to attract foreign tourists during the latter half of 2021. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) have facilitated a new website ‘Entry Thailand,’ which will function as a one-stop-shop for potential visitors, outlining the steps require for entry, ASQ arrangement, insurance, and more.

In line with this initiative, the Thai government has also announced their approval of the ‘Vaccine Passport’ that vaccinated individuals can use to travel abroad. In light of the current outbreak, the government have also announced their initiatives to speed up the vaccination rollout by giving private hospitals and enterprises the freedom to acquire their own vaccines while also trying to procure several vaccine types for the upcoming national rollout.

In a bid to revitalise the industry, TCEB and 22 other organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to upgrade disease control and hygiene measures in 10 MICE cities nationwide, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Khon Kaen. Collectively, these upgraded safety standards are expected to foster increased confidence for both domestic and international planners and organisers looking to host events in Thailand in the future

For a closer look at how hotels and venues are implementing these new hygiene standards, prior to the outbreak as part of our bimonthly ‘Destination Showcase’, TICA interviewed hospitality professionals from some of Bangkok’s most esteemed riverside properties about how they have embraced the ‘new normal’ while still guaranteeing a five-star experience for event planners, attendees, and hotel guests.

Moreover, another exciting initiative from TCEB that reiterates how we need to leverage innovation to ensure long-term competitiveness in the industry, the ‘MICE Winnovation’ saw 29 tech firms showcasing their products spanning facial recognition, livestreaming, robots, and more to 126 trade visitors comprising of diverse stakeholders in the MICE business. Beyond this, the initiative is made up of four components, each aimed at helping professionals stay up-to-date on trends and relevant technologies that can aid them during this time of substantial change.

It is undeniable that digital technologies provide great advantage in the wake of COVID-19, especially in keeping stakeholders connected. This year, the annual Thailand MICE Youth Challenge will be taking place virtually while TICA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) also took place virtually, with 172 attendees tuning into a programme that focused on welcoming visitors back into the Kingdom. The event also saw the unveiling of the much-anticipated Annual Report 2020 that summarises the association’s portfolio of work over the past year.

To conclude, despite a year of facing unprecedented trials, I have utmost admiration for TICA’s members, and the diverse stakeholders in the industry that we closely work with, who have shown nothing but strength and resilience during these difficult times. And to parallel the support we have been so lucky to receive, TICA is now offering 50% off of annual membership fees. Moving forward, I am certain that with the stringent measures now put in place, the glimmer of hope brought forward by the national vaccine rollout, and the forward-thinking initiatives that have been collectively launched by MICE organisations, the next few months will usher in brighter days for all of us.

Sumate Sudasna
President,
Thailand Incentive and Convention Association