Phuket-Phang Nga route showcases 10+10 MICE Adventure campaign
A Department of Tourism familiarisation trip highlighted marine, nature and community-based experiences for MICE travellers in Phuket and Phang Nga.
The Department of Tourism has used a Phuket-Phang Nga pilot route to showcase its 10+10 MICE Adventure campaign, combining meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) with nature, community-based tourism and outdoor activities.
A two-day, one-night familiarisation trip for media, influencers and tourism industry representatives took place on 30-31 August. Promoted as “Cruising Phang Nga Bay and Exploring Bang Rong Village Gardens”, the route was designed to demonstrate experiences suitable for the MICE market while increasing participation by local communities and businesses.
The first day included a visit to Samet Nangshe viewpoint in Phang Nga, followed by kayaking through a mangrove tunnel at the Ban Sam Chong Nuea community-based tourism enterprise. Participants also released mud crabs as part of an ecosystem conservation activity before taking a longtail boat through Phang Nga Bay, passing Diamond Coral Cave and viewing Khao Song Phi Nong, Khao Ta Pu and Nakaya Island, one of the filming locations for Jurassic World: Rebirth.
On the second day, the group visited the Ban Bang Rong community-based tourism group in Thalang. Activities included learning to tap rubber, selecting and harvesting Phuket pineapples, a geographical indication product, making homemade pineapple jam and preparing local coconut-based desserts.
The programme concluded at The Lake Phuket Elephant Home, where participants learned about elephant care and tourism camp standards. They prepared and fed food to elephants, trekked to observe their natural behaviour and bathed the animals.
The Department of Tourism said the campaign aims to strengthen Thailand’s position as an international MICE and adventure tourism destination by linking major MICE destinations with local communities and tourism businesses. Other pilot routes include Chonburi-Rayong, Surat Thani-Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phitsanulok-Sukhothai and Nakhon Ratchasima-Nakhon Nayok.
The department plans to continue promoting the routes to domestic and international MICE markets and encourage improvements to homestay standards and local tourism businesses.
