Growing momentum fuels MICE business at this Bangkok hotel

It's full throttle ahead at Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit, says GM Sammy Carolus.

Sammy Carolus, general manager at Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit, believes sustainability is a shared responsibility for everyone in the business events sector.
Sammy Carolus, general manager at Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit, believes sustainability is a shared responsibility for everyone in the business events sector.

With business events and exhibitions swiftly returning to Thailand since 2022, Sammy Carolus, general manager at Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit, is optimistic about MICE business for his property in 2023.

He speaks to M&C Asia to share about growing business, new developments, sustainability initiatives and future growth plans at Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit.

What’s your outlook for MICE business at Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit this year?

After Thailand reopened its borders in May 2022, we were very fortunate that some of our MICE clients who had postponed their events several times during the pandemic finally set the dates and held their events with us. The Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, which is located near the hotel, also reopened in September 2022, resulting in many citywide events in the area.

Since May 2022, we have begun attending MICE tradeshows both in the country and abroad. It is part of our strategy to be as anticipative and proactive as possible, and the travel opportunities allowed us to find new leads and begin securing business for 2023 and 2024.

We already see a good market mix of long-haul and short-haul markets for 2023, though the lead time is shorter than in the pre-pandemic period.

From our existing business, we already see a good market mix of long-haul and short-haul markets for 2023, though the lead time is shorter than in the pre-pandemic period. In-person meetings and interactions will indeed be treasured in 2023 and beyond. I believe that the global events industry will resume full operation at any time.

What new plans or initiatives do you have in store to grow MICE business at your property?
Our MICE options are focused on the enjoyment and wellbeing of our guests. We collaborate with the one-Michelin-star Khao restaurant chain for its outstanding delivery of exquisite Thai food. Additionally, we provide delicious and creative healthy meals, snacks and beverages using the freshest and finest local, seasonal ingredients. We also provide a selection of carefully designed holistic activities, like yoga classes on the roof or Muay Thai lessons.

Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit provides creative and healthy meals using fresh local ingredients.
Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit provides creative and healthy meals using fresh local ingredients.

We continue to commit to advancing care and being responsible for the planet. We are taking steps to help make a difference, such as sustainable sourcing, mobile key entry, motion sensor technology, and Hyatt EcoTrack to track sustainability metrics including greenhouse gas emissions, energy, water, waste and recycling. These insights are important to help advance efficiency improvements.

Additionally, we encourage event planners and event participants to incorporate sustainable practices. We try to make it easy for them by providing a list of actions they can simply apply to their meetings together with staff on-site for guidance and support.

What are you most excited as well as concerned about in the months ahead?
I’m looking forward to seeing how digital components will soon play a significant role in MICE events. I believe that the use of technology to aid in execution has boosted creativity and innovation in the industry. Although there are many issues with labour shortages, wage demands and inflation, I believe that tourism will soon recover as the business expands.

The influence of climate change on the industry, however, cannot be ignored, which is why it is so important for those of us working in the sector to understand this, accept responsibility for it, and take all reasonable steps to lessen its effects.