Centre plans still pending

Tourism experts in Chiang Mai province are calling for a more accurate marketing and management plan for the Chiang Mai Convention Centre before it opens in April.

Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce honourary chairman, Narong Tananuwat, said “Currently, there is no clear management plan from Ping Nakorn Development Bureau.”

He added: “If the convention centre opens successfully in April, it could help to boost events to the city by 20% to 30%.”

However, Mr Narong suggested that at least half of the representatives on the board should come from the province.

“Local people should have right to draft the convention centre’s policy and closely monitor its progress,” he said.

He  advised: “Besides the Ping Nakorn Development Bureau providing the big picture, there should be an additional agency such as the Chiang Mai Convention and Exhibition Bureau (CCEP).”

On 2 November last year, the Cabinet approved a public organisation named Ping Nakhon Development Bureau, to take care of three key tourism projects in the province — Chiang Mai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Royal Flora Ratchaphruek and Chiang Mai Night Safari.

The permanent secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office will chair the new bureau and the Chiang Mai governor will be included in the bureau’s board. However, a bureau director has yet to be appointed.

The lack of a bureau director will impact on the centre’s marketing strategy, Thai Hotels Association president Surapong Techaruvichit commented.

“As long as the position is vacant drawing meetings to Thailand becomes more difficult.”

Currently, Ministry of Tourism and Sports is overseeing construction of the convention centre project.

The ministry assigned the Tourism Authority of Thailand to conduct a feasibility study on the ToR for private bidders to operate the convention centre, while the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau  was supposed to  prepare the master plan for the venue.

Royal Flora Ratchaphruek is overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organisation) now operates the Chiang Mai Night Safari. Those projects are under the control of MPs from the Chart Thai Pattana Party, of which veteran politician Banharn Silpa-archa is the de facto leader.

Ministry of Tourism and Sports signed a contact with EMC and Power Line to build the Chiang Mai Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 October 2008. The project should have been completed by 1 November, last year, with a construction period of 762 days. It will open early next year after a soft opening period starting this December to test facilities.

Sourced: ttrweekly