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This year’s 26th Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia (IT&CMA) and 21st Corporate Travel World Asia-Pacific (CTW Asia-Pacific) at Bangkok Convention Centre at Central World, Bangkok, Thailand during 18-20 September successfully redefined themselves, when the double bill event started the program with a passionate breakfast session “Graceful Powers” to focus on roles women play in the business events industry, where now female leaders are at the forefront of meetings, making up a large part of the workforce. Actually, Bangkok seems at the top of places regarding all levels in the emerging new society ruled by smart phones and career developments. IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific also introduced for the first time an Asian MICE Cruise Conference, presented by Darren Ng, Managing Director of TTG Asia Media and moderated by Karen Yue, Group Editor, TTG Travel Trade Publishing in the morning of September 8. “Swimming cities” such as created by Royal Caribbean International, Dream Cruises, Star Cruises, Princess Cruises, Silversea https://www.travelcounsellors.com.au/au/leisureCruises and Genting Cruise Lines, making headlines with their fun facilities and memorable experiences at their hot ports of call such as Ho Chi Minh City in Viet Nam, Bali in Indonesia, Penang in Malaysia, Phuket in Thailand or Yokohama in Japan.

At the official press conference in the afternoon of September 8, it was up to Khun Nichapa Yoswee, Senior Vice President-Business, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) to reveal that it was TCEB that recently launched a new campaign called “Thailand: Redefine your business events” in collaboration with TTG and Thai Airways International. Thus, new attractions and destinations are part of the policy to drive area-based development to equip Thailand with more new choices that can enrich the experiences of MICE or business travelers and drive the economy in other regional cities beyond the already established destinations. No wonder that the opening ceremony & welcome reception under the theme “Thailand Limited” hosted by TCEB highlighted this engagement at GMM Live House @ 8thFloor of Central World.

The event attracted some 316 exhibiting companies and organizations, 462 buyers from 45 countries and 77 media from 21 countries, while on 17 September there were two pre-show city tours in Bangkok to Bang Krachao and Klong Bang Luang. Post-show tours were going to Kanchanaburi and Rayong on 21-23 September. The following media briefings were visited:

19 September: Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB): Introducing its new concept with the development of secondary cities into the MICE market.

Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia: Highlighting Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Borobudur in Central Java, Lombok and Komodo Island as destinations beyond Bali.

Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau: Promoting the BE 6-7 December 2018 Exceptional at Setia SPICE Convention Centre, Penang, Malaysia.

Tourism Promotions Board Philippines: Palawan as a new emerging MICE destination.

Taiwan Convention & Exhibition Association: Presenting its “Fun Taipei” map.

20 September: Japan Airlines & American Airlines: Promoting the fastest growing Asia Pacific Network and unmatched experience across the Pacific Ocean.

Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute: Highlighting the longest bridge of the world from Hong Kong to Southern China.

Desaru Coast hosted lunch: Promoting the premium integrated destination resort near Johor Bahru in the southern part of Malaysia.

Other exciting destinations promoted at the myriad of booths were in Bangkok’s areas of Yaowarat, Rattanakosin, Ratchaprasong, and Silom-Bang Rak, Incredible India’s North East as a paradise unexplored, “Nagaworld” as entertainment centre of the Mekong Region at Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Korea and Japan as popular destinations of East Asia, and last but not least, New York and Switzerland by train, bus and boat.

All in all, the double bill event in Bangkok was another highlight not to be missed in the long range of travel events word-wide happening in 2018 and in the future.