The way forward, according to Chatchawal Supachayanont, is for Pattaya to vigorously compete in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) market. Chatchawal Supachayanont GM of the Dusit Resort Pattaya and president of the Thai Hotels Association Eastern Chapter.

“Development of the MICE market for Pattaya is essential, as the city will eventually lose its status as a leisure destination to other regions in Thailand as well as neighbouring countries. MICE is a way to compete with our neighbours, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, even the Philippines. It is therefore vitally important for the TAT to have a long term plan to develop a new market here,” Chatchawal told the Pattaya chapter of Skal, an international tourism group with 25 thousand members worldwide in 90 countries, at their monthly luncheon meeting last week.

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