Pattaya CEI alliance pushes clean image

By David Johnson PATTAYA Conference, exhibition and incentive (CEI) stalwarts in Thailand's largest resort city are joining forces to market the destination as a clean, multi-faceted option to planners. Leading suppliers recently launched a major initiative to showcase the destination in Germany, a move that is expected to continue in Europe with a focus on the UK, Spain, Italy and France. "Pattaya has really blossomed since the opening of the Pattaya Exhibition And Conference Hall and the resort town is making leaps forward in providing incentive and meeting planners with a host of great venues and activities," Royal Cliff Beach Resort general manager Mr Andrew Wood said. The drive focuses on Pattaya as a family-style resort, offering shopping, dining and clean seas, as opposed to the nightlife for which it is often associated. "There are hundreds of restaurants and more hotel rooms than Singapore. Add to that value for money, with exchange rates with all the major currencies at great levels, and the renowned Thai service," Mr Wood said. Central to the campaign is showcasing product that can be sold by planners, such as The Sanctuary of Truth, a hand-made cathedral-sized teak structure in Thai design that took 20 years to build. The initiative has caught the attention of leading local destination management companies "Pattaya, once the ugly sister, is fast become the Cinderella of incentive destinations in Thailand," Diethelm Events manager, Mr David Barrett said.