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On The Ground 14 MAR-APR 2019 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS MCMAG-ASIA.COM Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau Thailand looks to ASEAN for meetings and incentives growth Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has partnered national carrier Thai Airways to attract groups from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore under a new campaign, ASEAN MaxiMICE. The campaign will offer meetings and incentive planners support and privileges for groups. These include access to fast-track service at immigration, meet-and-greet services, cultural performances, premium souvenirs, BTS Card for sky train travel, additional baggage allowance, pre-assigned group seating on flights, special on-board announcements as well as customised printed seat cover. To further entice groups, qualification criteria for the campaign has been lowered to groups of at least 40, instead of 50, with at least a two-night stay in Thailand. TCEB expects the new campaign to spur a 5% increase in MICE travellers from each of the four markets, with at least 20 new groups to Thailand over the campaign period until August 31. WORDS MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS ASIA (TOP LEFT) ILLUSTRATION: GETTY IMAGES Industry report Singapore hits new highs Visitor arrivals to Singapore and tourism receipts exceeded expectations to achieve new record highs in 2018, especially in the local MICE market. Total arrivals rose by 6.2% to 18.5 million, while tourism receipts increased by 1% to S$27.1 billion (US$20 billion), according to preliminary estimates released by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). Two high-profile events contributed to Singapore's strong growth: the historic meeting between United States President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and the debut of Hollywood movie Crazy Rich Asians. The BTMICE, hotel and cruise sectors registered good growth. There was a 14% increase in business, travel, meetings, incentive, convention and exhibition visitors to two million. Together, they spent S$3.44 billion, an impressive 10% year-on-year increase as compared to 2017. Total gazetted room revenue rose by 7.4% to hit S$4 billion, and occupancy increased by 1.2 percentage TCEB has partnered Thai Airways to attract groups from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore. PHOTO CREDIT: MONGKOLCHUEWONG/GETTY IMAGES PHOTO CREDIT: TANARCH/GETTY IMAGES