Thailand is highlighting CSR opportunities for organisers planning business events across the country in a bold move to make the kingdom stand out from rival MICE destinations in Asia.
TCEB (Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau) unveiled “Thailand, Sustainability & Soulful CSR Destination” product at the Asia-Pacific Incentive and Meetings Expo at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Bureau on February 23.
The sustainability and corporate social responsibility offering is aimed at helping Thailand reach 5 per cent growth in MICE visitor numbers and revenue in 2016 while raising the profile of provincial destinations and giving organisers a choice of CSR projects for groups.
Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, president of TCEB, said: “As the Thai government’s official flagship body for the business events sector, TCEB is committed to building on Thailand’s reputation as a dream destination for sustainable business events that offer economic, social and environmental benefits to the country, organisers and MICE travellers alike.”
Four key areas are highlighted as emerging trends, TCEB said in a media statement at Aime.
The first is ‘beach destinations for sustainability and CSR’ including grassroots eco-tourism, where activities are designed in collaboration with the villagers based on the principle of community-based tourism, such as juvenile fish and turtle release programmes, coral cultivation and mangrove planting.
The second highlight is Bangkok’s role as the ‘Capital for sustainability and CSR’, where activities include reading for the blind, visiting the city’s six key shrines and supporting the work of the non-profit Khonthai Foundation.
The third emerging trend is ‘Wildlife for Sustainability and CSR’, where ‘Farm to Function’ allows participants to link directly with local farmers, or optionally experience the process of making organic products, while those who love being outdoor can help to build salt licks and dams.
Visiting delegates will also have the chance to contribute to a range of Royal Project Initiatives, founded by the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej to solve problems brought about by deforestation, poverty and opium production by promoting alternative crops. The projects were the first of their kind in the world.
The schemes also include the northern retreat of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai to Phetchaburi, an idyllic province in easy reach of Bangkok where visiting delegates can take part in a range of community-development activities.
