The 31st edition of IT&CMA 2023 and 26th CTW Asia-Pacific, the only double bill MICE and Corporate Travel event in the region, opens today. The event welcomes the first 100% person-to-person conference and exhibition in the post-pandemic period.
Being held at the Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld Bangkok, the event attracted 580 international exhibitors from 241 booths and pavilions, 400 buyers, and 51 media representatives.
The Philippines, represented by the Tourism Promotions Board, has one of the largest exhibiting pavilions of 150 square meters that brought in 22 sellers joining with 12 buyers, one of biggest delegations.
Darren Ng, event organizer and Managing Director of TTG Asia Media, said in his welcome remarks, “This show offers several new initiatives and highlights aimed at elevating the event experience for all delegates.”
“We are proud to be a part of the global tourism recovery post pandemic and we welcome both new and returning exhibitors, destinations, and brands, as well as our MICE, Association and corporate buyers,” he added.
Perennial partners Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) represented by its President Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, and Thai Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer Korakot Chatasinghawere also present in the press conference to welcome the 51 media delegates from 23 countries.
“Travel industry is now a key priority in Thailand. The new Thai government has made a clear policy statement that travel sector is the first engine in stimulating the economy,” stated TCEB Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, who revealed the free visa policy for travelers from China and Kazakhstan as the first step of the government to jumpstart tourism. This will take effect until the end of February 2024.
He also mentioned that the government of Thailand announced policy collaboration with the business sector in hosting world-scale festivals and trade shows in order to make Thailand a destination for world events. “That means a lot of room for us in the industry to take responsive actions that will boost business travel,” he said.
This year Thailand Pavilion houses a total of 40 exhibitors, including TCEB and Thailand Convention and Incentive Association (TICA) while gearing seriously towards business events is the MICE City of Pattaya that brought in 24 exhibitors.
For his part, Thai Airways Chief Commercial Officer Mr Korakot Chatasigha said, ” THAI is ready to collaborate in driving national inbound business strategies to boost the MICE industry and accommodate the rising demand from foreign business travelers.”
THAI implemented the restructuring of business operations in aviation to effectively improve fleet planning management. With 67 active aircraft consisting of 20 narrow-bodied and 47 wide-bodied, the airline company is poised to deliver a seamless network in the global market.
Chatasigha also disclosed that THAI will start non-stop flights between Bangkok and Istanbul from December 01 and will also increase their flight frequency to/from China to 35 weekly flights.
“With all respect, THAI wishes to contribute to Thailand’s economic and tourism development by connecting all people around the globe to Thailand with Thai Touch.”
Meanwhile, ITCMA and CTW 2023 will delve deeper into the impact of business events during the Fireside Chat. Other knowledge sessions include ASEAN MICE Forum in delivering perfect incentive travel experiences, CruiseXchange where the topic delves into the post-pandemic revival of the cruise industry and the promising outlook for MICE cruises, and Future Leaders Forum in honing students to lead the MICE industry in the future.
