Exhibition World Issue 4 2024 Issue 4 - August/ September 2024 | Page 49

Report
knowledge , business , and experience but also for uniting people of different generations to collaborate and contribute more to the economy and society .”
Chiang Mai The Experience Exchange part of the TIME 2024 programme took participants on a journey through Chiang Mai , one of the major MICE cities in northern Thailand . Chiang Mai is a UNESCO Craft City and has 30 Michelin certified BIB Gourmand restaurants .
Smart venues in the city include the Chiang Mai Marriott , located in the vibrant Night Bazaar District and the Melia Chiang Mai , another oasis of calm offering some Spanish influences and very tasty tapas .
The Oxygen Dining Rooms were also sampled , an establishment voted the best restaurant in Chiang Mai for its Michelin-rated culinary journey . And if you like your art with your
food , then the Woo Café can cater easily for a group of 60 for a relaxed lunch .
The city is building back its airlift and offers 67 international flight connections a day . The city has 70,000 hotel rooms and two exhibition centres , as well as a population of 1.7m .
Highlights of the regional tour included an aromatic coffee and cacao workshop at Skugga Estate , a visit to the Maesa Elephant Camp sanctuary , and a farm-to-table BBQ lunch . There was also a tour of Thai Lanna culture and tradition at Pa Dara Phirom Temple .
There was time to visit the Topgolf driving range back in Bangkok , where competitive teambuilding instincts were allowed to rise to the surface . The driving range is popular and the centre has good venue space , too .
Our group farewell dinner was in the Kesakomol Building in Bangkok ,
Above : Our editor prepares a snack for the elephants at Maesa Camp
where an evening of Royal Thai Cuisine was presented in this ornate venue .
Thailand can be a pleasant assault on the senses and the good value , hustle and bustle it is well known for is now overlaid with an impressive selection of high-end MICE products , all at good value .
Chiang Mai is a relaxing contrast to Bangkok because getting around the capital can take time due to heavy traffic , so plan accordingly , particularly as it may affect your event logistics timings and access .
A month on from TIME 2024 and TCEB said the initial results showed the programme had generated 64 anticipated events expected to bring 36,199 MICE visitors to Thailand , with projected revenue of $ 68.5m .
The collective effort of all stakeholders in this major event has clearly paid off , creating a new benchmark for excellence and paving the way for future successes .
www . exhibitionworld . co . uk Issue 4 2024 49