For every single piece of corporate events and incentives trips that comes into Asia, Phuket has to compete with other destinations like Malaysia, Vietnam and China – and even places within Thailand – to get a slice of the action.
Nevertheless, the island, which has been a popular leisure destination for decades now, has come into its own as an emerging destination for offsite events.
Incentives trips to the island are second to none. If lying on the beach is not your cup of tea, there are plenty of other things to do, and Phuket is one of the few locations that combines beautiful scenery and exotic charm.
But besides incentive travels, both the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau have also been building up the island as an ideal site for business meetings, conferences and exhibitions. And in the past few years, Phuket has started offering support services that are able to meet the needs and requirements of events visitors.
While the government has yet to commit into establishing an international convention centre on the island, two major private companies have taken upon themselves to build the necessary infrastructure. The Royal Phuket Marina is building a 2,500-square-metre convention centre in the marina and that is set to open in December 2008. Meanwhile, Laguna Phuket has announced that it will be building “Latitude”, a 1,500-square-metre marquee facility, which will have a capacity to seat up to 1,500 people. It is expected to be fully operational in the second quarter of 2009.
Conferences and exhibitions are meant to attract crowds of delegates. We believe companies that have decided hold their next conference in Phuket are making the right choice.
Half the battle is getting people to want to attend a conference or a trade show. By choosing Phuket as the venue, event organisers have the advantage of an exotic destination that can be a powerful draw for prospective attendees. Recent experiences have shown us that the island’s popularity as an events destination remains strong.
If you are planning for your next offsite meeting, business event or conference, put Phuket island on the map of your potential destination. It is a great place to visit.
