Developing MICE cities in Thailand

: A benchmarking approach

Abstract

Destination benchmarking in the context of the Meeting-Incentive-Convention-Exhibition (MICE) sector is one of the most significant yet most neglected areas in tourism research. Despite the importance of it’s subsequent economic benefits, little is known about the role of destination benchmarking vis-à-vis destination selection in the MICE sector. This PhD attempts to fill this gap by developing a destination benchmarking model specifically for the MICE sector, considering in detail the various factors that are deemed important in the destination selection process. To achieve these aims, a sequential mixed-methods approach in two stages (qualitative and quantitative) was undertaken to research the population of stakeholders in the MICE industry in Thailand. Consequently, the study began with a series of 31 semi-structured interviews (first stage), in order to assess an exisiting benchmarking framework and identify key factors that contribute to destination benchmarking practices in alternative cultural contexts. The second stage consisted of a survey completed by 266 stakeholders in the MICE industry that ranked these factors via Importance Performance Analysis (IPA). The findings from the first stage, together with a review of the literature, found that the BESTBET framework is relevant and useful in developing MICE destination benchmarking as a conceptual framework in international contexts. To develop a conceptual framework for the development of MICE destinations in Thailand specifically, six additional factors were identified to account for the cultural idiosyncharcies of the country. These findings aid in the development of policy and planning initiatives at regional and national levels, in particular providing tangibile recommendations for specific areas of improvement in destination planning and development

Date of Award	2019
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Aberystwyth University
Supervisor	Tiffany Low (Supervisor) & Carl Cater (Supervisor)