EMPRESS group opens convention centre in chiang mai

"The group expects the ECC will generate revenue of Bt100 million annually and boost its revenue by 35 per cent to more than Bt300 million this year," general manger Kanog Suvanavisutr said yesterday.

The group sees growth potential in the meeting, incentives, convention and exhibition business in Chiang Mai, which is well equipped with complete infrastructure, he said.

The 2,500-square-metre ECC, which can accommodate 1,800 people, is aimed at overseas and local companies as well as state agencies and corporations in Bangkok. It had its soft opening in January and will hold its grand opening next month.

It is expected to break even in four years.

The group manages the four-star Empress Hotel, three-star Downtown Inn and three-star Park Hotel.

The ECC would help fill the group's hotel rooms during the low season. Last year the occupancy rate was only 40 per cent during the low season and 60 per cent during the high season.

"We expect the MICE market will drive the group's room occupancy rate up by 10 to 15 per cent," Kanog said.

The government planned to construct a national convention centre in Chiang Mai, but this was an opportunity for the group to step in ahead of the government, he said.

The group was not concerned if the government introduced another international convention centre because the ECC was located in

the heart of the city, close to the famous Night Bazaar and the group's hotels.

The Empress Hotels Group's guests come 75 per cent from abroad and the rest from within the country.

The ECC has received good feedback from overseas, especially the United States, as well as from northerners. Many groups have paid attention to using the convention centre.

Empress plans to open a boutique hotel named Downtown Bangkok near the Makkasan Complex.

"We purchased land worth Bt65 million, while the hotel's construction is expected to cost about Bt120 million. But we decided to build it after the airport rail link is finished," Kanog said.