Thailand reassures global planners

Thailand’s convention bureau has launched new financial support for planners alongside and extensive online marketing campaign to reinforce confidence among international event and incentive planners.

Following recent political unrest in Bangkok, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has reallocated its marketing budget and introduced a range of new financial subsidies for corporate and association groups, alongside ‘Thailand CONNECT’, a new global marketing campaign.

The campaign also offers financial support of up to US$6,000 for meeting and incentive event planners organising groups of more than 200 people that are staying for a minimum of five nights in Thailand.

The bureau has dedicated more than $1.3 million towards online marketing in 2014 – its largest budget to date for online marketing. As part of this campaign, TCEB has launched a new business events website available in three languages – Thai, English and Chinese – with a further five language-versions to be introduced this year.

Pishnu Plaikaew, TCEB’s corporate communications manager, told London-based C&IT magazine that the overall situation in Bangkok was peaceful with venues and tourist attractions in the Thai capital open as usual.

DMCs such as Destination Asia said their services were operating normally but have warned visitors to stay clear of protest areas.

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