Three climbers reach the summit of a 85m limestone rock and look down at the turquoise waters below. They soak up their achievement and the stunning scenery: virgin palm-fringed beaches, limestone formations (karsts) emerging dramatically from the sea, a coastline dotted with secluded tropical islands. They wave to colleagues, some kayaking below, others sipping coconut milk while reclining on powdery white sand.
Welcome to paradise, Krabi in Thailand, where action meets relaxation in perfect partnership. While this southern coastal province has been making waves in leisure tourism for years, it has just started making ripples in the business sector.
Touted as the latest Thai MICE destination by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Krabi, which forms part of the Andaman Cluster along with Phuket and Phang-Nga, is carving out its own niche.
In 2012, MICE visitor numbers to Thailand reached 895,224, with the country hosting 7,382 events (33% conventions, 25% corporate meetings, 24% incentives and 18% exhibitions), a 6.84 per cent increase on 2011. As Asian economies continue to grow, Thailand expects to welcome 940,000 business travellers in 2013.
Many of the business travellers, of course, will head to Thailand’s better-known business destinations: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, all of which boast sophisticated infrastructure and facilities. While Krabi, a 50-minute flight from Bangkok or two-hour drive from Phuket International Airport, may only receive flights from three Asian destinations and have only 5,000 hotel rooms, it boasts unique offerings, the focus of which is ‘adventure’.
“Under the new scheme, ‘Adventure MICE of the Andaman’, Krabi is developing into an emerging city for global business events offering its unique charm and adventure,” says President of TCEB, Mr Nopparat Maythaveekulchai.
Krabi’s geographical diversity, that of mountains, sea, islands, mangroves and jungle, allows for a wide variety of adventurous activities and incentive trips.
“Krabi is a new destination for MICE events, especially for corporate meetings and incentive groups, with a focus on teambuilding,” says Ms Parichat Svetasreni, Director of Marketing and Corporate Department at TCEB.
The crystal-clear sea offers diving, boating, canoeing; the 130 islands, famed for the irregular limestone peaks which jut up to 122m high, offer rock climbing and island hopping; the jungle, with its mangroves and caves, offers horseriding, elephant trekking, mountain biking and kayaking. If that wasn’t enough, the natural scenery (beaches are untouched, according to government regulations, meaning no sunbeds to block your view or motorised watersports to punctuate your peace) provides not only the ultimate in relaxation, but a beautiful backdrop for themed outdoor events, easily catered for by Krabi’s many unique resorts.
And that’s the beauty of this new-kid-on-the-business-block destination: it’s got it all. “Krabi offers the best of both worlds,” says Claude Baltes, General Manager of Beyond Resort Krabi. “It’s the ultimate in luxurious relaxation within a stunning setting, as well as providing the chance to do something active, daring and adventurous.”
It’s the smaller scale incentives groups and corporate meetings Krabi aims to attract, with Nopparat citing small-to-medium (50 to 500) as ideal. And while Krabi’s facilities aren’t as cutting-edge or large-scale as other Thai cities, what Krabi does have certainly meets world-class standards.
The Sheraton Krabi Beach Resort boasts five function rooms, the largest of which accommodates up to 220 delegates, while the Hotel Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort, has the second largest pool in Thailand and a nine-hole golf course.
Boutique meets business with a number of intimate properties: Beyond Resort Krabi has catered for corporate groups of up to 200; Rayavadee at Railey Bay regularly caters to small executive groups, from 30-100. Its dedicated activities centre can tailor-make team-building programmes, such as water rafting, elephant rides and Thai cookery classes, while unique outdoor spaces, like a beachside cave restaurant, provide memorable experiences.
The Ritz-Carlton Reserve Phulay Bay has, in its three years of business, been a backdrop for many a meet. “Between 10-15 per cent of our business clients are meetings and incentives,” says Director of Sales, Roberta Pellacci. And it’s no wonder, considering the resort’s a one-hour boat journey from Phuket International Airport, has exclusive luxury (24-hour butler, Espa treatments, 54 villas); tailor-made activity programmes (from yoga to elephant trekking) and modern event spaces, all of which help make an incentive trip to Krabi memorable.
This was first published in issue 73 of CMW. Any comments? Email cmw@mashmedia.net
