MESSAGE FROM

President

Dear TICA members,

As we approach the end of the year, the pandemic roller-coaster ride continues, and now more than ever, we have to practice caution in order to guarantee that 2022 will see the country well on its path to recovery. With the extremely challenging third wave behind us, it was fair for all of us to presume that the worst was over, but now with the introduction of the new Omicron variant, there are a few more hurdles we have to overcome together in order to get the industry back on track.

Although the government’s decision to reverse ‘Test and Go’ with immediate effect has been met with some criticism, in the long term the decision will undoubtedly minimise the risk of the new variant spreading rapidly amongst the local population. Despite this variant being unexpected, we simply have to be patient in regard to the country opening up in full to ensure no oversight takes place. Thus far, Thailand’s success in mitigating the spread is largely due to the stringent practice of universal prevention by the Thai public, which includes the continued support of mask mandates, regular sanitisation practices, and social distancing.

In the meantime, there are several COVID-free protocols in place that have proven to be successful, and will continue to aid in maintaining low COVID numbers across the Kingdom, some of which include the popular Phuket Sandbox model, stringent policies in regards to testing, and accelerated vaccination and booster rollouts. Though we have yet again been hit with a road block, this time is a great opportunity for all stakeholders to continue planning for an exciting year ahead.

Leading the charge is the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), who have introduced 70 new international trade shows in the pipeline until year-end 2022. As Thailand has reopened to more than 65 countries since November, with the list set to expand in the coming months, it is evident that the business events sector is already seeing forward momentum. Meeting venues are using this valuable period to obtain the necessary certifications that fit the ‘new normal’ we currently live in, and will be living in well into the future. One of the city’s leading venues, The Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) has received the TMVS for the sixth year in a row, in addition to joining the Kingdom's well thought out MICE Hygiene campaign.

Moreover, TCEB has reported that the bureau plans to assess at least 155 venues for TMVS across the country in 2022, which will add onto the list of 194 venues that have already been certified, a curation that includes unique venues such as creative hub Lido Connect; True Digital Park, the centre of startups; and heritage site Baan Dusit Thani. These certifications also expand past Bangkok itself, with venues in MICE capitals around the country also seeking to acquire the necessary stamps of approval. One such destination is the tourism capital of Chiang Mai. An overview of its natural splendour, five-star accommodations, and spacious facilities for events of all sizes, is at the heart of this issue’s destination showcase.

Beyond our borders, despite many countries now re-evaluating their opening plans, there have been reports that Southeast Asian leaders have agreed to take steps towards establishing ASEAN-wide travel bubble to facilitate business travel within the region. This decision will greatly impact our local MICE sector as it will create ‘green lanes’ with certain countries, which will then allow for business events from neighbouring nations to be hosted in the Kingdom. This discussion is in motion but remains inconclusive, as such arrangement would require the development of a common set of safety measures to safeguard public health.

Despite certain limitations and business travel recovering at a slower pace than expected, experts still believe that the industry will recover by 2024, with the year ending on pace in comparison to pre-pandemic numbers in 2019. Although the beginning of next year still holds some uncertainty, in 2023 it is predicted that global spending will rise approximately 23% year-over-year as international travel resumes and group travel once again takes off.

I would like to conclude this message on a positive and opportunistic note in the spirit of the New Year. Although we cannot ever be sure what awaits in the months to come, what we can be sure of is the resilience of all of our TICA members and further MICE stakeholders to be able to rise up to any challenge that 2022 has in store. I wish you all a happy, safe, and prosperous New Year and thank you all for your enduring support.



Sumate Sudasna
President,
Thailand Incentive and Convention Association