AFTER an encouraging first quarter, Diethelm Events is anticipating a “hazy” outlook for the next six months, according to executive manager David Barrett.
He cited the expected upcoming Thai election and customer concerns over Japan as factors.
“The outlook for the fourth quarter will be subject to the outcome of the election. Hopefully, if we can have a clear election where people stand by the results, we can continue to build business,” Barrett said.
The DMC, one of Thailand’s largest, regained customer confidence in the country from November last year, following political turbulence between March and May. It noted, however, that misleading media coverage of recent rainstorms in the south had dampened prospects to the destination.
Despite the volatile outlook, the DMC is continuing its efforts in promoting Thailand. It will launch a new off-property Thai cultural evening at a Bangkok city-centre temple at IMEX in Frankfurt next month.
Its all-inclusive promotion to corporate meeting and incentive travel planners in South Africa and Russia, launched last year, will also be expanded from Khao Lak to include Phuket, Koh Samui and Bangkok. The package offers four days/three nights of accommodation, all meals and transfers and an excursion for a group of 50 to 150 delegates.
By Sirima Eamtako
